ROHILAS IN INDIA 2014 - 9 (FINAL): Warrangal & Hyderabad, AP

February 14 and 15, 2014


All rooms at our hotel in Hyderabad had been booked for February 14, probably for weddings. Therefore we had planned to make an overnight trip to Warrangal, about 150 Kilometers (93 Miles) to the northeast of Hyderabad.

The highway to Warrangal passed through an area dotted hills of various sizes and shapes.

A view of the way from Hyderabad to Warrangal

On the way we made a brief stop at the village of Kulpakji. From several Jain antiquities discovered in the area, it has been an important Jain center from the 9th though the 12th century.

Kulpakji Jain Temple

King Bharat Chakravarti's (R) Statue

It is believed that the current temple was built around a 2,000-year-old Jain shrine, which according to a legend the temple was built by king Bharat Chakravarti. Encased in a glass enclosure, the king's statue stands in the Temple courtyard. 

 

Poster in the Temple Office

But none of the devotees I talked to knew the story. And the employee at the temple office just drew my attention to the poster on a wall, which related the story in Hindi.

The temple continues to attract manydevotees. Recently renovated, it has several Jain Tirthankar idols. The 52-inch tall, green colored idol of Lord Mahavira is said to be made of a single piece of jade (sapphire, according to some).

A street of Wrrangal, Andhra Pradesh

Located in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, and the state's fifth largest city, Warrangal is a busy town. Agriculture being the mainstay of the area's economy, it is reputed to be Asia's second largest grain market.

Once the capital of Kakatiya dynasty, its imposing fort, massive stone gateways, and striking temples bear testimony to the city's splendor in the medieval times. Picturesque lakes add to its majesty.

Fort, Warrangal, AP

The 13th century fort was built by Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma. The fort's ruins are spread over a large area.

Across the road is a recreation park.

Park Entrance, Warrangal, AP 

Lake inside the Park, Warrangal, AP

Inside the park a lake is there for boating and swimming.







A hill looms over the park, which is reached by a series of several steps.

Hill in the Park

Temple

 A temple stand on the top of the hill. It is not a functioning temple, and its lingam has been moved to another temple. 

Watchtower

Besides the temple there is a watch tower.









A fresco of lions and elephants surrounds the top fringe of the outside wall of the watchtower.

Fresco of lions and elephants

Next we went to the Bhadrakali Temple. Located on the banks of the man-made Bhadrakali Lake, it is one of the oldest temples of Bhadrakali goddess, in India. Built in the 7th century, unlike other temples, its pillars are square.

Bhadrakali Temple, Warrangal, AP

The approach to the temple is lined with large images of Goddess Kali.

Images of various manifestations of Goddess Kali, Warrangal, A.P.

Then we proceeded to the 12th century Thousand Pillar Temple, near the slopes of the Hanamlonda Hill.Built on a raised platform, this star-shaped temple consists of shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The shrines are arranged around a central hall.

Thousand Pillars Temple, Warrangal, AP

Thousand Pillars Temple, Warrangal, AP

It is known for its many richly carved pillars,

Carved from a single block of  granite, Nandi sits in front.

Monolithic granite Nandi, Thousand Pillar Temple, Warrangal, AP

A large, pillared Mandapa lies in ruins behind Nandi.

Mandapa, Thousand Pillar Temple, Warrangal, AP

By now we were tired from the road trip from Hyderabad, and day-long sightseeing. We headed to our hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

After breakfast, next morning, we made our way back to Hyderabad. On reaching Hyderabad, we went straight to the city center, where Kundan wanted to do some shopping.

Kundan shopping for shalwar suits near Char Minar, Hyderabad, AP

While she looked for what she wanted to buy, I headed for the iconic Char Minar to take some pictures.

Char Minar, Hyderabad, AP

Built in 1591 by the Qutub Shahi dynasty ruler, Mohammed Quli, the founder of Hyderabad. About 49 meter (160 ft) tall structure, it is a graceful and magnificent piece of architecture. Nearby is the large Mecca Masjid, so named because the bricks to build its central arch had been brought from Mecca.

Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, AP

Hyderabad is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Also known as the City of Pearls for its trade in pearls, it is a large industrial and commercial center. Its streets, especially around Char Minar overflow with traffic.

(Above & Below) Traffic in Char Minar area of Hyderabad, AP

After shopping, and lunch, we went to Hyderabad's famous Salar Jung Museum.

 Salar Jung Museum, Hyderabad, AP

The museum is home to a large collection of antiques from around the world by Yousuf Ali Khan, Salar Jung III. Exhibited in 40 galleries, its collection includes manuscripts, Mughal miniature paintings, Hindu, Buddhist and Western sculptures, royal swords and daggers, Persian carpets, Chinese porcelain, Japanese lacquer-ware, jade and glass objects, metal works, etc.

 Mir Tirab Ali Khan, Salar Jung I (1829-1883)

An Arabic manuscript

 Lord Ganesha

 Lord Buddha

After the Museum, we went for a drive around Lumbini Park and Hussain Sagar lake. Located besides the Hussain Sagar lake, the park consists of boating facilities, gardens, musical fountains and a laser auditorium. It was constructed in 1994.

In 1992, a large monolithic statute of Lord Buddha was erected on a man-made island in the middle of Hussain Sagar Lake.

Lord Buddha statue, Hussain Sagar Lake, Hyderabad, AP

Then we proceeded to our hotel, to prepare for our flight to Mumbai, next day. Two days later, on February 18, we were scheduled to depart for USA.