Warangal
Former capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, with the intricately carved Thousand Pillar Temple and stone gateways of Warangal Fort, and the World Heritage Ramappa Temple, famed for its 'floating bricks', set amid lakes outside town.
Warangal lies in north-central Telangana, India, about 150 km from the state capital, Hyderabad. Made up of three adjoining urban areas – Warangal, Hanamkonda and Kazipet – it is the state's second-largest city. From the 12th to the 14th century it was the capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, renowned for its masterful black basalt carving and large irrigation lakes. The dynasty left monuments such as the Thousand Pillar Temple, the stone gateways of Warangal Fort and the World Heritage Ramappa Temple outside the city, and the Kakatiya Kala Thoranam gateway motif still appears on Telangana's state emblem.
Sightseeing falls into two parts. City day: in the morning, the Thousand Pillar Temple and Padmakshi Temple in Hanamkonda; at midday, Bhadrakali Temple and its lake bund; in the afternoon, the ruins of Warangal Fort and Khush Mahal; and in the evening, the fort's sound-and-light show or the musical fountain. Countryside day: hire a car to Ramappa Temple and Ramappa Lake, about 65 km northeast, then cross the suspension bridge at Laknavaram Lake, returning via Pakhal Lake. Allow 2 days.
The climate is hot; Oct–Feb is cool and dry, the best time to visit. From Apr–Jun daytime temperatures often exceed 40°C, and Jul–Sep is the monsoon, though the lakes are fullest after the rains. Getting there: trains from Hyderabad to Warangal (or Kazipet) take about 2.5–3 hours, and the drive about 3 hours; around town, electric rickshaws and ride-hailing are the main options, and hiring a car is recommended for sights outside the city. Note: remove your shoes at temples and cover shoulders and knees; the biennial Medaram tribal festival (held in February of even-numbered years) draws tens of millions of devotees, making transport and accommodation extremely tight.
Top sights
- Thousand Pillar Temple – A star-shaped temple complex with three shrines, built in 1163 by the Kakatiya dynasty. Its black basalt pillars and carvings of Nandi the…
- Warangal Fort & Kakatiya Kala Thoranam – The ruins of the Kakatiya dynasty capital in the 13th century. Four elaborately carved stone gateways, the Kakatiya Gates, are the model fo…
- Ramappa Temple – A Kakatiya temple added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. It is famous for a roof of lightweight “floating” bricks and extremely d…
- Bhadrakali Temple & Lake – An ancient goddess temple between a hill and a lake in the city. It is dedicated to Bhadrakali, the goddess who holds eight weapons, and at…
- Laknavaram Lake – An ancient Kakatiya reservoir surrounded by hills and forest. A suspension bridge across the lake to its islands is a popular photo spot in…
- Pakhal Lake – An artificial lake built in 1213 by the Kakatiya dynasty. Its shores lie within the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary, making it a peaceful place f…
- Padmakshi Temple – A 12th-century ancient temple on a rock outcrop at Hanamkonda. It was originally a Jain temple and was later rededicated to the goddess Pad…
- Kakatiya Musical Garden – An urban park near Bhadrakali Lake with an evening musical fountain show. It is a favorite spot for local families to relax in the evening.
Where to eat
- Khursheed Hotel – One of Warangal's oldest restaurants and a famous Hyderabadi biryani house in Mandi Market, open late into the night.
- Kanishka Dhaba – A budget restaurant opened in 1998 near NIT, serving North and South Indian dishes and biryani.
Itineraries
- Hyderabad & Kakatiya Capital – Explore Sultanate heritage in the Old Town, then head east to Warangal and the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple.