Warangal
Warangal
Warangal | |
|---|---|
newly formed city | |
 | |
| Population (2009) | |
| • Total | 1,288,944 |
Warangal or Orugallu or Ekasila Nagaram (Template:Lang-te) is a city and a municipal corporation in Warangal district in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is located in the Telangana region of the state. Warangal is 145 km northeast of the state capital of Hyderabad. Warangal is the administrative seat of Warangal District. It is the fourth largest city in Andhra Pradesh with a population of nearly 13 lakhs.Warangal is cool and serence city.
Warangal district has an area of 12,846 km², and a population of 2,818,832 (1991 census). The district is bounded by Karimnagar district to the north, Khammam district to the east and southeast, Nalgonda district to the southwest, and Medak district to the west. Warangal is located northeast of Hyderabad,India. Warangal is known for its granite quarries (notably the black and brown varieties), grain market (for rice and chillies), cotton, and tobacco.
History
Warangal was the capital of a Hindu Shaivaite kingdom[citation needed] ruled by the Kakatiya dynasty from the 12th to the 14th centuries.The old name of this newly formed city is Orugallu. 'Oru' means one and 'Kallu' means stone. The entire city was carved in a single rock, hence the name Orukallu meaning 'one rock'. The city was also called Ekasila nagaram. The Kakatiyas left many monuments, including an impressive fortress, four massive stone gateways, the Swayambhu temple dedicated to Shiva, and the Ramappa temple situated near Ramappa Lake. The cultural and administrative distinction of the Kakatiyas was mentioned by the famous traveller Marco Polo. Famous or well-known rulers included Ganapathi Deva, Prathapa Rudra, and Rani (queen) Rudramma Devi. After the defeat of Prataparadura, the Musunuri Nayaks united seventy two Nayak chieftains and captured Warangal from Delhi sultanate and ruled for fifty years. Jealousy and mutual rivalry between Nayaks ultimately led to the downfall of Hindus in 1370 A.D. and success of Bahmanis. Bahmani Sultanate later broke up into several smaller sultanates, of which the Golconda sultanate ruled Warangal. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb conquered Golconda in 1687, and it remained part of the Mughal empire until the southern provinces of the empire split away to become the state of Hyderabad in 1724 which included the Telangana region and some parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Hyderabad was annexed to India in 1948, and became an Indian state. In 1956 Hyderabad was partitioned as part of the States Reorganization Act, and Telangana, the Telugu-speaking region of Hyderabad state which includes Warangal, became part of Andhra Pradesh.
Warangal has developed both under the political and historical influences of successive great kings. The Historical events and development occurred in Warangal District. These are:-
1. Kakatiya Stage 1260 - 1422
2. Transition Stage 1422 - 1725
3. Asaf Jahi Stage 1725 - 1948
4. Modern Stage 1948 - Onwards.
Geography
Warangal is located at 18°00′N 79°35′E / 18.0°N 79.58°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 302 metres (990 feet).
Economy
Warangal's economy is predominantly agricultural. It has a large grain market in Enamamula. This is a rice-growing region and most farmers grow rice for both subsistence and the commerce. Cotton has also been a major cash crop since the early 1990s; however the cotton sector has been troubled in recent years, and there was a highly publicized spate of suicides by cotton farmers in 1997-1998.
Industry has been neglected in the region by successive governments. Some industries existing during the Nizam's rule, like Azam Jahi Cloth Mills, closed down; Warangal has several small to medium scale industries but no large scale ones.
A STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) has been set up at National Institute of Technology, Warangal with the intention of taking the benefits of the Information Technology revolution to second tier cities. Warangal makes an excellent location for this because of its proximity to Hyderabad, the student pool from some of the best institutes in the country, good transportation facilities, infrastructure, lower traffic problems, etc.
Governance and politics
Warangal city is the headquarters of Warangal district. Warangal district contributes a total of twelve seats (city has two; that of Warangal East and Warangal West) in the lower house of the State Legislature and two seats (Warangal and Mahabubabad) in lower house of Indian Paliament.
Politics
Warangal witnessed a bloody chapter in it's history in 1969, called the "Mulki" (locals) agitation. In 1969, the people of Telangana raised their voice asking for a separate state. They felt discriminated in the unified state of Andhra Pradesh and wanted to reverse the unification and exist separately as was the case before 1956. Warangal was the brewing ground of the movement and lead it from the front. Students, peasants and government employees all joined forces. More than 400 Telangana students lost their lives in the struggle. In the early 2000s the movement for a separate Telangana was again started under the leadership of K. Chandrasekhar Rao who established the political party 'Telangana Rashtra Samiti'(TRS). The party allied with the Indira Congress in the state elections. The alliance won majority, and Chandrasekhar Rao became a Union Minister. In 2006, as the Congress party was against separationism, Chandrasekhar Rao resigned his ministry and his Membership of the Parliament. He contested again in the resulting by-election but was soundly thrashed to third position with the Telugu Desam party candidate winning the election.
Transport
- Air : There is an airstrip at Mamnoor on the south-eastern outskirts of Warangal. The nearest international air port is located at Shamshabad 160 km away, near Hyderabad.
- Rail : Warangal is well connected to all the major cities in India by rail. Kazipet, about 13km from Warangal is a major railway junction on the Bangalore/Hyderabad-New Delhi route while Warangal is a major station on the Hyderabad/New Delhi-Chennai route. Aptly, Warangal is called the gateway to south India although Nagpur may seem more suitable for that title.
- Road : There are two major bus stations (hubs); Warangal and Hanamakonda. Long-distance deluxe buses ply from Warangal to Bangalore, Madras, Hyderabad, Tirupathi,Guntakal Anantapur, and Hubli; and standard express buses to Guntur via Vijaywada, Cherial, Jangaon, Kodad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Adilabad, Suryapet, Palampet, Jagtial, Narasampet, Parkal, Khammam, Bhadrachalam, Basara, etc.
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Warangal had a population of 1,128,570. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Warangal has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 64%. In Warangal, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Culture
Telugu is the language spoken by the majority in Warangal. Both traditional attire like Saree, Lungi and Dhoti and modern dress styles are worn. The poets of this place include the ancient poets Potana and Palkuriki Somanna to present day poets like Kaloji Narayana Rao, B. Rama Raju, Pervaram Jagannatham, Kovela Sampatkumara, Kovela Suprasanna, Ampasayya Naveen, RANGANATH MIDDELA, Varavara Rao and Anwar have contributed to Telugu literature.
Sarangapani was a famous folk singer, Nerella Venu Madhav is a mimicry artist who has received accolades countrywide. The famous music director Chakri is also from Warangal district.
- Arya Samaj: Arya Samaj is the social organisation that has been touching the lives of people for the past five decades since Hyderabad was annexed in Indian Union. It has strongly opposed Khasim Rizvi's (the Nizam's commander) bloody campaign against the peasants under the leadership of Nanna Ramakrishna Arya and since then has been a spiritual centre for the common man. Able leaders like Sri M. S. Rajalingam, M. N. Rangachary (Parkal), Kaloji brothers, Bhandaaru Chandramoulishwar Rao, T. Hayagreevachary alias 'One Eyed Jackal', Bathini Mogilaiah, Ranganaikulu, Cheruku Kanthaiah fought for the freedom of Hyderabad and it's merger into the Indian Union.
Festivals
Major Hindu festivals such as Dassera, Deepavali, Sankranti( Pongal ) are celebrated here. In addition, the district hosts the Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara or congregation. Every two years(bi-annually), approximately 6 million people converge for over three days around the small village of Medaram and it's adjacent stream/rivulet, Jampanna Vagu, 90km from Warangal city. This fair is said to be the largest repeating aggregation of tribal communities in the whole world and commemorates the valiant fight put up by a mother-daughter combination (Samakka and Sarakka) with the reigning Kakatiya king over an unjust law. Bonalu and Bathukamma festivals, symbolic of the Telangana region are also celebrated here (Bathukamma is celebrated particularly by women) with gusto.
Fatima Feast is celebrated every year on February 12th and 13th by Catholic Christians at their Warangal Diocesian Headquarters of Cathedral Church in Fatima Nagar, Kazipet.
Places of interest
- Thousand Pillar Temple: This temple is one of the finest examples of Kakatiya architecture and a testimony to the Vishwakarma Brahmin's excellence in sculpture. Built by Rudra Deva built in 1163 in the style of Chalukyan temple art, it is star shaped and triple shrined. Recently, when the archeological department was conducting excavations, they found a water well below the kalyanamandapam, which leads to the conclusion that the foundation of this wonderful structure was built on water!
- Warangal Fort: Warangal fort or Kila Warangal, which dates back to the 12th and 13th century, is about 2km from the Warangal railway station.
The fort was mostly destroyed by invaders and only the ruins can now be seen. The fort had three protective walls, remnants of which can still be seen today. The first is a mud wall that stands today up to about 20 feet high and several kilometers in circumference, encircling the fort. The second is a wall made of granite rock. The fort has four famous stone gateways, about 30 feet high and still standing, a masterpiece carved from a single rock. They are called Kirti Toranas (gateways of glory) of the Kakatiyas. They have become a widely recognized symbol of Andhra Pradesh tourism.
- Planetarium and Musical Garden: There is a planetarium and a beautiful garden near the Bhadrakali Temple. The garden has awesome sound and light shows with water fountains. This place is popular with the locals and tourists aside.
- Ramappa Temple also known as Ramalingeswara Temple, is situated in Palampet village, 70 km from Warangal. This is a beautiful monument dating back to 1213 A.D. It displays the glory and richness of the Kakatiya kingdom and is one of the finest specimens of Hindu temple architecture of the time.
- Bhadra Kali Temple:
Situated on a hilltop between Hanamakonda and Warangal, it is noted for its stone image of the Goddess Kali. The temple is located on the banks of the "Bhadrakali" Cheruvu (lake).
- Samakka-Sarakka Jatra: (see 'Festivals' above)It is a biennial event held once every two years. People from almost all over the state come to worship these deities.
- Siddeshwara Temple:Which was built in 3rd century, it is one of the paschima dwaramukha temple (west facing entrance.
- Jain Temple at Kolanpak or Kolanupaka : The 2,000-year-old Jain temple of Mahavira is a famous place of worship for Jains in the country. The temple is embellished with beautiful images of Tirthankaras. The 5 ft high image of Mahavira is carved entirely out of jade. Kolanupaka is off the town of Aler which lies almost exactly midway (75km) between Warangal and Hyderabad. This was the second capital town of Kalyani Chalukyas during the 11th century. During this period the village was a religious centre for Jains and ranks among the great Jain centers of southern India. The State Department of Archaeology and Museums established the Kolanupaka Museum which exhibits some exquisite artefacts from the numerous historical monuments of Kolanupaka.
- Pembarti village: known for it's brassware, lies on the Warangal-Hyderabad highway, 15 km from Jangaon and 10km before Aler town on the Secunderabad-Vijayawada railway route. It has a quaint little railway station made famous in the Telugu movie hit Varsham(Rain).
- Sri Veeranarayana Temple: This temple was built in the Chalukyan style around 1104.
- Pakhal Lake: A man-made lake built in 1213 by the Kakatiya king Ganapathideva by harnessing a small tributary of the Krishna River. It is located 50 km from Warangal and covers an area of 30 km².
- Vanavigyan Kendra: Situated on Hunter Road between Hanamakonda and Warangal.
- [Komaravelli ]: Komaravelli is a holy place where devotees worship Komaravelli Mallana Swamy. Komaravelli is situated just before 10 km from Siddipet on the way Hyderabad/Secunderabad highway. There is no railway here and it can only be reached by road.
- Bussapur: A village in Govindaraopet mandal, has a 178 meter long suspension bridge on the Laknavaram lake. The local fair begins in the first week of January and lasts until "Ugadi" every year. In the last week of the fair, devotees walk on fire, a ritual called "Aggi Gundalu".
- Laknavaram Lake:Laknavaram lake is a beautiful lake located at Laknavaram at a distance of about 90km from Waranagal. It is an idyllic spot for young souls looking for a day off in the forest. Laknavaram lake is popular for it's 'hanging bridges' connecting three islands. The lake is surrounded on all sides by green hills.
- Mylaram Resovoir: And in 2008, a Large lake (Pedda Cheruvu)of Mylaram village was connected to long running Sriram Sagar rivulet under SRSP project, and is now a widest serving Resorvior Lake in Warangal, which can serve agricultural irrigation needs round the year.
City Affairs
Sunny day: The climate in Warangal City is tropical in nature, but there are dry spells especially during the winter season. Current Temperature@City. The average weather is warm to hot throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from approximately 16C to 46C (60F to 116F). The summer season (April to July) has the highest temperatures, but these are usually followed by monsoon rains. The winter season (from October to February) is the most enjoyable with a pleasant climate. Summer clothing is ideal throughout the year. Warangal is located 262 meters above sea-level.
Main Market: Warangal City is famous for food items such as mirchi bajji (mirapakaya bajji), mamidikaya pacchadi (pickle), gongura pickle, traditional spicy style meals and common breakfast items such as Idli, Upma, Pesara/Ravva/ Dosa, and Puri. [22] There are many hotels that offer a varietiy of food items (from several regions of India). The common masala stands, jilebi push-carts and sugarcane juice sellers can be noticed in every nook and corner of the city. There are also fast food and pizza outlets.
Market
Warangal has the biggest grain market called Enumamula. This market is the Asia's second biggest market. Mirchi(red chilli) and cotton are the main crops.
Supermarket
There are numerous markets selling vegetables, fruits, flowers and other commodities throughout the city. Also, many super markets are opening due to an increasingly expanding middle class. The traditional method of selling vegetables, flowers and other consumer goods using push-carts is still very common and effective. There are special Rythu-Bazars[23] in most areas of the city to sell fresh produce. Locally famous fruits and vegetables include the oval- (unique honey taste) - sapota, mango, Seethaphal, and Dosakai (cucumber). Large grocery chains like Reliance Fresh, MORE, Subhiksha etc., have opened outlets in the city.
Education
Warangal is the 4th largest city in Andhra Pradesh and is known for important educational institutions like Kakatiya Medical College and "National Institute of Technology". Established in 1959 as the first of "Regional Engineering College"s in the country, the NIT grew into an important national level institute for engineering studies.
Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Sciences (KITS-Wgl)
National Institute of Technology Warangal ( formerly known as REC Warangal/Kazipet)
Lal Bahadur College (renowned as LB College)
CKM college
Arts & Science College
Chaitanya Degree & PG college
Sports
A wider Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) located in the heart of Hanamkonda. JNS is harbour for young sportsmen, which is associated with full-pledged tranining facilities. JNS is a state of art training camp for budding Gymnast coming across the state.
Cricket is by far the most watched and played game. Other popular local sports are Badminton (locally known as 'Shuttil-Kak'), Volleyball, Kabaddi and Gilli Danda.
References
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External links
- Sri. Medaram Sammakka Saralamma Jatara.
- TelanganaMatchMaker.com-Matrimony service in Warangal.
- WarangalToday.com- Keeping you Updated with the Information of Warangal.
- Kakatiya University website
- Warangal info
- Warangal website
- Warangal District official website
- Warangal on Wikitravel
- 1000 Pillar Temple (Veyyi Stambhala Gudi), Warangal
- [1]
- Alumni of KMC Warangal
