If you are planning to visit historic Warangal City, then it better to start with Bhadrakali Temple Warangal. We have written an elaborate article on this temple which covers topics like Timings, History, Phone Number, Images, About, etc.
Interesting Facts Of Bhadrakali Temple warangal
• As by the writings on the wall of the temple this temple is built by King Pulakesi II, Chalukya dynasty around 625 A.D. to commemorate his victory over the Andhra Desham Vengi region.
• City of Warangal have adopted as their “Goddess Bhadrakali Kula Devatha” give it preference over other gods.
• The Lake was an artificial lake which is built by Ganapathi Deva, a Minister of the Kakatiya dynasty.
• The temple lost its importance during Bahamani Golkonda Sultans and leaders.
• In 1950, Sri Ganapathi Sastri a Brahmin and devotee of the goddess Kali took interest in the renovation of the temple.
Location of Bhadrakali Temple warangal
The temple of Bhadrakali in Warangal, telangana is known to be one of the oldest temples of the goddess Bhadrakali in India. This temple is located on the shores of Lake Bhadrakali, a picturesque location between Hanamkonda and Warangal about 1.5 km from the Government Polytechnic School.
History of Bhadrakali Temple warangal
As by the writings on the wall of the Bhadrakali Temple warangal this temple is built by King Pulakesi II, Chalukya dynasty around 625 A.D. to commemorate his victory over the Andhra Desham Vengi region. This can be seen from the square pillars used in the structure of the temple that were different from the circular pillars used in the temples built by Kakatiyas.
The French common Kakatiya Kings “empire” which is the current city of Warangal have adopted as their “Goddess Bhadrakali Kula Devatha” give it preference over other gods. The Lake was built later by Ganapathi Deva, a Minister of the Kakatiya dynasty.
The road leading to the temple was also added during this period.Because of the fall of the Kakatiya dynasty to the Muslim ruler of Delhi Ala – ud – din Khilji, his general Malik Kafur and later Ghias-ud-Din Tughlak, and during the reign of Bahamani Golkonda Sultans and leaders, the temple lost its importance during the period and the place has deteriorated. Sri Ganapathi Sastri (aka B. S. Ganesh Rao) a Brahmin and devi upasaka (devotee of the goddess Kali) of Karnataka has migrated to warangal in 1940. He noticed the former temple of Bhadrakali and took interest in the renovation of the temple. He built a small house next to the temple and began to live in this isolated spot.
It with Sri Ramanujacharya Mudumbai has asked the help of Sri Maganlal Sameja (a local merchant) and other rich people and renovated the old temple in 1950. Many people like Radhakrishnamurthy Brahmasri Sri Hari, Adluri Seetharama Shastry, Vangala Guravaiah Narsaiah Thandra Venkata Rama Mahatapaswini Mangalambika Tankasala and Narasimha Rao lent their hands in renovations of the temple. Until the temple was renovated in 1950, there was some animal sacrifices to the temple (an old custom to Kali temples in India). This practice was stopped in 1950 after the renovation of the temple. During the renovation, Chandi yantra has been installed in the Holy temple and Amrutha Castle (beejaksharas shlokas) have been written about the hanging of the deity of the language and change the deity to the fierce eyes and tongue for a pleasant stay in the face. Since then, every day, Sharannavaratras poojas, Vasantha navarathras are performed on a regular basis, according to Vedic rites. Sri Ganapathi Sastri, the temple Trust Foundation is currently more than 105 years.
It is still actively in the Affairs of the temple. Over the past years, he took, of an ancient Shiva temple near temple of Bhadrakali and began to renovate it. The inhabitants of the town of Warangal and Sri Ganapathi Sastri supporters celebrated his 100th birthday a few years ago. Today his son Sri B. Seshagiri Rao took over the Affairs of the temple as a priest. Sri Ganapathi Sastri, at the age of 113 a died on Friday November 11, 2011 here in warangal. He has two sons and three daughters. He was still the fiduciary Bhadrakali temple at the time of his death. The temple along with the people of Warangal has lost a great man who has developed the temple by with his great efforts.
About Bhadrakali Temple warangal
The main hall of the Bhadrakali Temple warangal has goddess Bhadrakali deity is performed in an image 2.7 × 2.7 meters stone square facing West, with beautiful eyes to the holding of weapons in his eight hands with lord Shiva under her feet. “ Utsava Vigrahas” and “Sree Chakram” of Goddess are placed in front of the main deity.
A statue of a Lion which is called as the vahana of Godess Bhadrakali. The Godess rides on her vahana which is placed in front of the sanctum. The temple also has a Balipeetham and Dhwaja Sthambam. Some of the important oldest deities in the Maha Mantapam with Goddess Bhadrakali are Uma Maheshwara(Lord Shiva) images on stone Shiva Linga, Subramanya Swamy, Navagrahas and Hanuman statue all carved in stone. A new road was built in 1966 from the temple to the Kazipet-Warangal Highway beside the Government Polytechnic.
The temple was expanded in 2000 with the addition of Mantapam Maha, Alaya Shikaram. Temple of Sri Vallabha Ganapathi and parikrama temple was added to the main temple. The temple is also executing a Veda Pathasala (School of Vedas) near the temple. There are 12 small and 8 large temples in the mountains surrounding the Bhadrakali Temple including the Sri Shirdi Sai Baba, Padmakshi, Temple of Sri Pothuluri Veerabrahmendra Swamy and Sri Narasimha swamy temple. Bhadrakali Temple became one of the major tourist attarctions and people from many parts of the India visit this temple.
Which is the best time to visit Bhadrakali Temple warangal?
The temple can be visited during the festival season is in “Sravana masa” for the month of August and September. In this period of festivals and Yagnams take place in the temple.
Among the festivals celebrated in the temple are
• Sharannavaratri in Ashwayuja masa.
• Vasanta Navaratri in Chaitra masa
• Shakambari Utsavam in Ashada masaVasantha Navaratri is a festival performed in 9days.
In this days nine forms of goddess Bhadrakali can be seen to devotees. This festival will take place in Chaitra masa, which is the beginning of the spring season (Vasantha Ruthu).
The Goddess Bhadrakali during the Shakambari Utsavam is beautifully decorated with various vegetables.
Sharannavarathi is also called Maha Navaratri and is celebrated in Ruthu Sharad (winter) in September-October of each year at Ashwayuja masa. The festival comes to an end with Durga Ashtami. During this festival researchers vedic scholars will recite vedas, make Homams.
Bathukamma Festival is celebrated on Durga Ashtami and is famous for large gatherings (in lakhs) of women and young girls dressed in bright colors, who visit the Bhadrakali Lake with pots decorated with colorful flowers and perform poojas at the Lake. Bathukamma songs are sung, when they perform poojas.
Later, these flowers are placed on the water. This will be a show colorful to see so many lakhs of flowers floating on the Lake.People of Hanamkonda and Warangal believe in goddess Bhadrakali and visit her for all the opportunities like newborns, weddings etc. and offer her bracelets, elsewhere and garlands and pray for blessings.
People with desires come to the temple and submitted a Mudupu (coconut inside a red piece blouse) will be tied to a tree after pooja. Once there desire is fulfilled they come back again to detach the and perform the poojas and offer sari to the divinity.
Architecture of Bhadrakali Temple warangal The temple is square with an idol in stone of the Goddess (2.7 x 2.7 meters). The idol sits with a fierce look in her eyes and face. The goddess wearing a Crown and has 8 hands holding various astras (weapons). There is an artificial lake with a radius of two and a half km is situated near to the temple. Formations of Rocks
naturally bring charm of the temple and are the dominant feature of the temple.These rocks are said to exercise spiritual powers also. The temple is around 250 years.
The idol turns into a rare form called Tripura Sundari with the help of mantras, which also includes the form of Kali. This form of goddess is considered the supreme Prakriti – female power event a vital energy of the universe. The literal meaning is the beauty of the three worlds.
Festivals in Bhadrakali Temple warangal
Festivals will be held in the month of Sravana (August-September). The deity is decorated beautifully. There are eight large and twelve temples in the mountains surrounding the Bhadrakali Temple.Major attractions near Bhadrakali Temple warangal The highest point of the temple of Bhadrakali is the Lake adjacent to the temple. The Lake has a capacity of 160 million feet cubes (mcft). Previous rains were the only source of water for this Lake and during the dry(summer) season, the Lake is dried completely. About 20 years ago, pipelines were laid from the Kakatiya canal that brings water to the Manair dam in Karimnagar district and now the Lake is full everytime.
The Bhadrakali Lake is now used as a source of drinking water for the cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal. The Telangana Tourism introduced boats in the Lake and we can enjoy a good boat ride in the Lake. A number of natural rock formations in the area add to the spiritual charm of the temple and we can relax during a visit to the temple in the evening with a beautiful sunset over the hills.
Transport to Bhadrakali Temple warangal
Warangal is about 150 km from Hyderabad and is easily accessible by road or by train. It has two terminals of bus to Hanamkonda and Warangal and connected to many cities of Andhra Pradesh. Warangal and Kazipet Junction stations are between Vijayawada and Hyderabad.Kazipet is a junction for trains heading south and the North of the India from Hyderabad.
Hyderabad and Vijayawada, there a lot of trains daily. Kazipet and Warangal railway stations, push-chips are available to go to the temple of Bhadrakali.
Source: http://www.thehindu.com