Air:
Indian Airlines, Air India and Jet Airways have regular flights from Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata to Hyderabad (157 km), the nearest airport. Airport: Begumpet Airport is north of the Husain Sagar Lake on Sardar Patel Road in Hyderabad. Frequent buses and trains will take you to Warangal in about 3½ hours.

Rail:
A major rail junction with connections from Delhi, Chennai, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Railway station: There are two railway stations at Warangal and Kazhipet. Autorickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available for the short 6-km transfer to the city centre.

Road:
Good, regular buses (both government and private) link Warangal with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Nizamabad and other major places in the state. Local buses connect nearby tourist places like Hanamkonda. Bus stand: Opposite the railway station. Cheap cycle rickshaws and autorickshaws will take you to the city centre.

Climate:
Summers are hot with temperatures lying between 23°C and 40°C while winters are at best cool varying from 13.5°C to 30°C.

When To Go:
October to March

STD CODE:
08712

Warangal Fort
At Mantukonda, 5 km from the heart of the city, lie the ruins of one of the largest forts in the country. Marked by its distinctive three concentric levels of fortifications circled by a moat, this 13th century architectural wonder was built by the Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma. Four magnificent stone gateways leading to the centre of the fort still stand witness to past glory. Passing through them, you will find a dilapidated shrine at the centre of the fort dedicated to the Swayambhu Shiva, where flowers are still offered by the faithful. Relive history as you walk down the ramparts of what is arguably one of the most famous forts in India.

Thousand Pillared Temple
A very short drive (6 km) down the Warangal-Hanamkonda highway will bring you to this most celebrated of temples in this part of Andhra Pradesh. Built by King Rudra Deva in the 12th century, the 1,000 ornately carved pillars support a low roof that shelters three interconnected shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. A beautifully carved black stone Nandi Bull sits on the platform at the entrance. Built in the typical Kakatiya style, the central pillars, the walls and the ceiling of this Trikutalaya shrine are all intricately carved.

Bhadrakali Temple
Near the Thousand Pillared Temple, on a hill by the Warangal-Hanamkonda highway, sits the Bhadrakali Temple. Revered for its fiery idol of a sitting Goddess Kali -- what with all eight arms carrying different weapons -- locals believe that the deity was originally worshipped by the illustrious Pulakesin II to celebrate his victories. The approach road and the nearby tank were added later by a minister of the Kakatiya kings. On your way back drop in at the Hanamkonda Fort and get a glimpse of the tiny Siddheswara Temple inside.

Pakhal Lake/ Sanctuary (50 km)
The legacy of the Kakatiyas lives on in and around Warangal and even this lake, laid out by Ganapati Deva in the 13th century, bears evidence to it. A later addition was the Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary that came up around this picturesque lake nestled amidst wooded hills and valleys. Spread over almost 850 sq km of natural forests, the sanctuary is home to diverse wildlife from wild boars and sambhars to even panthers and tigers. Well connected with Warangal by bus, the place is extremely popular with tourists.

Palampet (68 km)
Synonymous with the 13th century Ramappa Temple, Palampet is only an extension of your temple trip in Warangal. This magnificent structure was built during the reign of the illustrious Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva and boasts of intricately carved pillars and ceilings. The only surviving shrine out of the original three, the present Rudrasheswar Temple here stands on a high platform enveloped in lush gardens. The interesting thing is that the temple has been known by the name of the builder, Racharla Rudra, rather than the name of the presiding deity, Ramalingaswara. The nearby Ramappa Cheruvu, an artificial lake amidst forested hills, also offers a beautiful sight. You can spend the night at the Vanavihar Guest House on the banks of the lake but prior reservations have to be made with the tourist information bureau at Kazhipet.

Ghanpur (76 km)
A complex of 20 temples built by the Kakatiya kings, the place is believed to have derived its name from the ganas (demigods) who were worshipped in the shrines. Now, of course, you will find the ruins by the lake but you can t miss the ones that have survived even if it is only because of their striking red, black and green stone edifices. Amenities are scarce, so carry your essential provisions even for a day trip.