Heritage · Faith · Tradition
About the Temple
Introduction
Sri Bhadrakali Ammavari Temple stands on a hill between Hanamkonda and Warangal in Telangana, overlooking the beautiful Bhadrakali lake. It is one of the oldest and most revered temples of the Goddess in the Telugu lands. Here the Mother is worshipped as Bhadrakali – the fierce yet protective form of Shakti – in a majestic stone image that has drawn devotees for centuries, and the temple is especially famous for its Shakambari Utsavam, when the Goddess is adorned with vegetables and fruits.
The Goddess
The presiding deity is a large stone image of Goddess Bhadrakali, about 2.7 metres square, with commanding, fierce eyes and eight arms, each holding a weapon. Facing the sanctum are her vahana, the lion, along with a flagstaff (dhwajasthambham) and an altar (bali peetham). Devotees pray to Bhadrakali for courage, protection from harm and the removal of obstacles.
History
According to tradition, the temple was built around 625 CE by the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II to commemorate his victory over the Vengi region. Centuries later, the Kakatiya rulers of Warangal adopted the temple and revered Bhadrakali as their kuladevata – the family deity of the dynasty – and the Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva is credited with creating the lake beside it. Over time the temple declined, until in 1950 it was renovated by Sri Ganesh Rao Sastri, a devoted worshipper of the Goddess, with the support of the businessman Maganlal Sameja. Since then it has grown into one of the busiest temples of the Warangal region.
Shakambari Utsavam
The most celebrated festival of the temple is the Shakambari Utsavam, held every year in the month of Ashada (usually June–July) and ending on Ashada Purnima. For about two weeks the Goddess is worshipped as Shakambari Mata – the Mother who nourishes the world with food – and each day she is decorated in a different form with a great variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers. The temple has celebrated this festival for about fifty years, and it draws large crowds from across Telangana.
Other Festivals
- Dasara / Devi Navaratri – nine nights of special worship of the Goddess (usually September–October).
- Bhadrakali Ekadasi – Apara Ekadasi (usually May–June) is observed at the temple as the Ekadasi of Goddess Bhadrakali.
- Tuesdays and Fridays – weekly days of special worship of the Goddess.
Visitor Information
- Timings: official timings are not published; the temple is usually open from early morning to night. Please check locally, especially during festivals.
- Crowds: Shakambari Utsavam, Dasara, Tuesdays and Fridays are the busiest times.
- The lake: the views over Bhadrakali lake from the temple hill are especially lovely in the evening.
- Etiquette: traditional dress is recommended; remove footwear before entering.
How to Reach
- By Road: the temple is on Bhadrakali Temple Road, between Hanamkonda and Warangal; TGSRTC city buses and autorickshaws reach it easily.
- By Train: Warangal railway station is about 4 km away and Kazipet Junction about 10 km.
- By Air: the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Shamshabad (Hyderabad), about 175 km away by road.
Nearby Temples
About 2 km away in Hanamkonda is the Kakatiya masterpiece, the Thousand Pillar Temple, and about 63 km away is the UNESCO World Heritage Ramappa Temple. The Kakatiya kings' devotion to the Mother can also be felt at the Goddess temples of Telangana such as the Ujjaini Mahakali Temple, Secunderabad.
