History of Temple



Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh is known to be one of the oldest temples for Goddess Bhadrakali in India. This temple is located on the banks of the Bhadrakali lake between Hanamkonda and Warangal.
Bhadrakali Temple

[edit] History

This temple is believed to be constructed by the King Pulakesi 2 of Chalakya dynasty around 625 A.D.
This was an abandoned ancient temple surrounded by hills and trees until 1950s. Sri Ganapathi Sasthri, a brahmin from Karnataka who migrated to Warangal has taken interest in renovating the temple and started living in this isolated place in a small house next to the temple. He sought the help of Sri Maganlal Sameja (a local marwadi merchant) and other affluent locals and renovated the old temple. Since then regular poojas were being conducted in the temple.
Sri Gapanathy Sasthri is presently above 105 years old and still actively participating in the temple affairs.

[edit] About Temple

The temple complex houses Bhadrakali matha in her several different forms and avatars, all at one place. A remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the Goddess (2.7 X 2.7 meters). Within the image the Goddess is seen in a sitting posture with pleasant looking eyes and face. A statue of Lion, Bhadrakali's vahana on which she rides, is placed opposite the sanctum sanctorum. (The Goddess can also be seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.
Lord Shiva, Subramanya Swamy and Hanuman temples along with Navagrahas are some of the oldest deity's inside the main temple along with Bhadrakali.
Lord Vigneshwara temple has been added in the last ten years outside the main temple.
Bhadrakali Temple has become a major tourist place and people from many parts of India come to this temple and pray to the Goddess.
Warangal Fort built by Kakatiyas is about 10km from the Bhadrakali Temple. Inside the fort is the Swayambhu Temple of Lord Shiva. An Inscription near the temple dates back to 1163AD.
There are 8 major and 12 minor temples in the mountains surrounding the Bhadrakali Temple.

[edit] Major Attractions

The high point of Bhadrakali Temple is an artificial lake of 2 ½ km radius in the vicinity of the temple. A number of natural rock formations in the surrounding area add to the spiritual charm of the temple and are the most dominant feature of the temple. Some of the uniquely shaped rocks are said to carry immense spiritual powers. The structure of the temple is said to be 250 years old. Though the image of the deity is called the Bhadrakali, the goddess is said to have been transformed by the mantras into a very rare form called the Tripura Sundari, which includes the Kali form. Tripura Sundari is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Prakriti - the feminine power which is the vital energy of the universe. Literal meaning of Tripura Sundari is 'The Beauty of the Three Worlds' or more precisely the three Cites or 'Pura'.

[edit] Transport

Warangal is around 150 km from Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh, India) and is easily accessible by road or by trains. It has two bus terminals and two railway stations Warangal and Kazipet Junction. These stations are between Vijayawada and Hyderabad. Kazipet is a junction for trains going to south and north of India from Hyderabad.
From Hyderabad and Vijayawada there are lot of trains everyday. From Warangal and Kazipet railway stations autorickshaws are available to go to Bhadrakali temple.
One can visit the ancient Thousand Pillars Temple (Shiva Temple) in Hanamkonda on the way to Bhadrakali Temple.

the information is soursing from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhadrakali_Temple