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Bhadrakali Temple, Warangal
Goddess Bhadrakali · Warangal, Telangana
॥ ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
The Bhadrakali Temple at Warangal is one of the oldest goddess shrines of Telangana, set on a rocky rise above the broad Bhadrakali lake. The fierce, seated image of the goddess — many-armed and crowned — was worshipped here from the 7th century, and the temple later became a guardian deity of the Kakatiya kings who built the city.
The fierce seated goddess
Bhadrakali is the auspicious-yet-fierce form of the Mother, and the Warangal image shows her seated in a square posture with eight arms bearing weapons, her great eyes set in a stone face that has been worshipped for over a thousand years. Local tradition holds the shrine to date from around the 7th century and the reign of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.
Guardian of the Kakatiyas
When the Kakatiya dynasty made Warangal their capital, Bhadrakali became a protector of the kingdom, and the temple grew under their patronage. The shrine stands within sight of the great Kakatiya fort and the famous thousand-pillar temple, part of the cluster of monuments that mark Warangal as a medieval capital of the Deccan.
Navaratri by the lake
Navaratri is the temple’s grandest season, when the goddess is worshipped through nine nights and the lakeside fills with devotees. The setting of stone, water and old fortifications gives the shrine a powerful sense of age, and it remains a living centre of Shakta worship for the city.
How to reach the temple
- By road: the temple is in Warangal city, between Warangal and Hanamkonda, about 145 km from Hyderabad.
- By train: Warangal is a major railway junction.
- By air: Hyderabad’s airport is the nearest, about 150 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is the Bhadrakali Temple, Warangal?
Tradition dates the shrine to around the 7th century and the reign of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II, making it one of the oldest goddess temples in Telangana.
What does the goddess image look like?
Bhadrakali is shown seated in a square posture with eight arms bearing weapons and a crown, a fierce yet auspicious form of the Mother worshipped for over a thousand years.
What is the Kakatiya connection?
When the Kakatiya dynasty made Warangal their capital, Bhadrakali became a guardian deity of the kingdom, and the temple grew under their patronage near the great fort.
When is the main festival?
Navaratri is the grandest festival, with nine nights of worship and large crowds gathering by the Bhadrakali lake.
How do I reach the temple?
It is in Warangal city, about 145 km from Hyderabad. Warangal is a major railway junction, and Hyderabad airport is about 150 km away.
What else can I see near the temple?
The Warangal fort and the famous Kakatiya thousand-pillar temple are close by, part of the cluster of medieval monuments that mark the old capital.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Goddess Bhadrakali (fierce, eight-armed, seated) |
| Period | From the 7th century (Chalukya era) |
| Patrons | Kakatiya dynasty |
| Setting | Above the Bhadrakali lake |
| Main Festival | Navaratri |
| Nearby | Warangal Fort, Thousand-Pillar Temple |