|
INTRODUCTION
The creative genius in the field of architecture, literature, and engineering still hold their grandeur in the form of ruins that lie scattered clad in striking solemnity.
PAST
The Kakatiyas derived their name from their family deity, Goddess Kakati or Durga. Sweeping out of some small provinces in the early 11th century, they overran their predecessors, the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas. They made their capital at Warangal or Orugal, its ancient name. The first king in their lineage was Prola, followed by his successor, Ganapati Deva who ruled for a long period of over 60 years (1200-62) and made extensive conquests. Like his predecessors, the Chalukyas, he was a great patron of arts and under his illustrious reign, the tradition of achievements in scholarly and artistic pursuits continued and prospered as is evident from renowned structures like the Ramappa Temple and the Thousand-Pillared Temple built in his time.
For two centuries, the Kakatiyas were the unopposed lords of the integrated Telugu empire. In 1329, the Tughlaqs of Delhi ultimately vanquished Warangal. The invading armies plundered the land and its priceless art treasures. After the Kakatiyas, Warangal was never the same. The lost glory moves any visitor who takes a stroll along the ruins of some of the finest creations of this dynasty.
SIGHTSEEING
The first sovereign ruler of the dynasty, King Rudradeva, built the exquisite Thousand-Pillar Temple at Hanamankonda in thanksgiving for victory in the battle with the Yadavas of Devagiri and dedicated the triple shrine or trikuta to Shiva, Vishnu, and Sun God. The imposing star-shaped temple complex within a walled enclosure has been constructed with finely carved black basalt, which was a great favorite with the Kakatiyas and their talented artisans.
King Ganapati Deva had once been taken captive in a battle. His brave and faithful commander-in-chief, Rudra, held temporary charge of the kingdom for his master. Later, as a reward for his loyalty and heroic struggle in freeing the king, he was bestowed with the fief of a large tract of land. At Palampet, 60 km north of Warangal, Rudra constructed a vast reservoir and a magnificent temple on its bank. The large lake met the needs for irrigation while the temple became the center for people from diverse walks of life to meet and exchange social as well as cultural ideas, apart from praying.
Guarded by an exquisitely sculpted black basalt Nandi, the Ramappa Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands in solitude surrounded by a dilapidated stone wall shrouded by soothing greenery. Consecrated in AD 1213, the red sandstone temple has several innovations of the Kakatiyas in traditional temple architecture.
An inscription engraved on the four sides of a stone pillar narrates the history of the temple as well as of the glorious achievements of General Rudra, the builder of the temple.
Five kilometers south of Warangal city lies the historic fort of the Kakatiyas and the ruins of the citadel. King Rudradeva started construction of this impregnable Warangal Fort in the 12th century when the capital had to be shifted from Hanamankonda. It was further extended by his nephew and successor, Ganapati Deva and was finally completed by princess Rudramma -daughter of Ganapati Deva-who ruled for 30 years. Located near the Ekashila hill rock, the fort has an embattlement of a very deep and high mud wall fortified inside with massive blocks of stone joined together. Rudramma had further strengthened defense of the fort with a deep and wide moat surrounding the double wall. A great warrior herself, Rudramma died at the age of 80 while leading her troops into the battlefield.
Today, the widely scattered ruins of the once magnificent Warangal Fort is an open-air museum of Kakatiya art and architecture that reached its zenith during the reign of King Ganapati Deva. The main attractions within the fort are the fragments of the majestic Sahastralinga Temple strewn over a large area. Its four massive torans, however, still stand erect. Plundered and devastated by Ibrahim Qutab Shah, the remains of the imposing temple exhibit until this day the excellence of Kakatiya architectural art. Impeccable delicate sculptures in black basalt on ornamental doorways, perforated stone lattice screen with repetitions of decorative patterns and motifs depicting unusual animal forms, Yali, vibrant leonine figures and graceful swans with swirling tail feathers, the insignia of the dynasty, are all an amazing experience for the viewer. Centuries of fierce weathering could not fade their mirror-like gloss nor erode the relief and texture.
WHERE TO STAY
There are several good hotels in the city as well as near the railway station. There is also a small Tourist Lodge close by the station in addition to the railway retiring rooms.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 150 kilometer away.
By Rail
Warangal is a major railway junction on the Hyderabad-Kazipet-Vijayawada (209 km) route serving many important express trains from Delhi, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, and Chennai (Madras). The journey time is 3½ hours from Hyderabad and four hours from Vijayawada.
By Road
Buses ply regularly on Hyderabad-Vijayawada express highway. Local buses connect Warangal with Kazipet (9 km) and Hanamankonda (5 km).
|
