Here's Why You Must Escape To This Cultural Town 3 Hours Away From Hyderabad

Lakes, forts, temples, jungle safari, and more – Warangal – a town in Telangana will wrap you in its rich heritage. A mere 3-hour drive from Hyderabad, it’s perfect for a road trip with the fam.

Step into the territory of an olde worlde charm. Warangal, the erstwhile capital of the Kakatiya dynasty that was established in 1163 prides itself in a history that dates back to several centuries. If you’re someone who loves to explore dilapidated ruins, forts, and temples with intriguing art, Warangal must top your list. We recommend you hit the highway from Hyderabad by the sunrise hour because watching the sun engulf the sky in its orange glory with forts and hillocks in the background is something you shouldn’t miss. To reach Warangal, you should cross Bhongir and Yadagirigutta. Somewhere before Bhongir, there is Aler town, and if you’re a tea aficionado, you must absolutely taste the Aler Tea that is available in any stalls by the road. After you cross Yadagirigutta, you’ll find yourself at Jangaon, a Jain pilgrimage town that is famous for Kulpakji Temple (also known as Kolanupaka Jain Temple). This temple is said to be 2,000 years old and lies on the banks of Musi River, making the whole stretch of the trip quite exciting.

Don’t be surprised to spot the 13th-century monuments co-existing seamlessly with the urban civilization of Warangal. Home to one of the best universities of the country, NIT Warangal, and also Kakatiya University, while skyrocketing with innovation, it also stays true to its traditional roots. The unconventional architecture of temples like the Thousand Pillared Temple, Ramappa Temple, and Bhadrakali Temple is sure to get you curious about their history. With intricate carvings on the walls, this reddish sandstone temple (Ramappa) lies in a valley at Palampet village, 77-km away from Warangal. It is believed that the construction of this temple consumed 40 years. The Thousand Pillared Temple as the name suggests is a temple that’s literally supported with 1,000 pillars, that was built during 1175–1324. Although most of the temple is in a dilapidated condition, it’s an awe-inspiring construction.

If you’re not really into exploring temples, you might want to visit the Warangal Fort. The remnants of the glorious heritage of the Kakatiya dynasty are visible in the arches and carved pillars. After a quick stop at the fort, you can head over to Pakhal Lake, a 30-minute drive from Warangal. This is a man-made lake with a wildlife sanctuary on its shore. You can make a picnic under the trees here, but only if you’re a pro at shooing away the monkeys. You can also take a boat ride across the lake for INR 300. From Pakhal, you can drive to Laknavaram that you’ll reach by crossing lush paddy fields and cotton plantation. When here, be sure to check out the yellow hanging bridge over the lake and fill up your Instagram feed.