Bhadrakali Temple

Bhadrakali Temple history and Significance.

Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal is one of the oldest temples in India that is dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. Located at the top of a hill, between the city of Warangal and Hanamkonda.

Bhadrakali temple gained its significance after it was renovated in the year 1950s by Sri Ganapathi Sasthri. Although now it has only a few traces of its magnificent past, this temple is one of the most popular temples and is visited by lakhs of devotees every year to get blessed.

Let us know the majestic history of Bhadrakali Temple.

This temple is built in the style of Chalukyan architecture, the Bhadrakali temple is an ancient temple that was built to signify their conquest of the Vengi region. The Ekanda Shila statue and the pillars in the temple give us a glimpse of Chalukyan reign and ruling, while the carvings on the pillars represent the brilliant artwork of Kakatiya’s reign.

Kakatiya Kings have believed in Goddess Bhadrakali as their ancestral deity hence had contributed their part to the temple as well. And also during the Kakatiya reign, the Bhadrakali Lake was built. Another lake connecting this temple was also constructed during their rule. After the fall of the Kakatiya rule, the importance of the Warangal Bhadrakali temple also got lessened.

After many years, in the 1950s Bhadrakali temple was again got into a flashlight. The temple work was initiated by Sri Ganapathi Sastri who was a devotee of Goddess Maha Kali, who had got migrated from Karnataka to Warangal in the early days of the 1940s.

Upon seeing the remains of the Bhadrakali temple, he had decided to settle next to the premises of the temple. He has taken the task of renovating the temple which got into ruins, with the help of other local people such as “Sri Mudumbai Ramanujacharya” and “Sri Maganlal Sameja”. Many other people such as Vangala Guravaiah, Adluri Seetharama Shastry, Tankasala Narasimha Rao, and Maha Tapaswini Mangalambika also contributed to the renovation of this royal temple.

After the renovations were done to the temple, animal sacrifices were stopped in the Bhadrakali Temple. Even the idol of the Goddess was slightly modified. It is said that the deity had a ferocious form originally which was later softened by a few changes. Goddess’s face was turned into a smiling and pleasing face. Holy chants were written of deity’s tongue at the time of renovations.

The famous rituals performed here are during Shravana Masam, which is the months of August and September, this temple celebrates many prominent festivals such as Vasanta Navaratri, Shakambari Utsavam. Bathukamma Festival is the most prominent festival celebrated with great fervor here when women and girls with beautifully arranged flowers flower patterns, visit the Bhadrakali Lake to offer prayers and perform rituals.

This article deals with the history and significance of the Bhadrakali Temple. Along with historical prominence and religious significance, natural rock formations around the temple also make this temple a must-visit place in India for all devotees and tourists.