Bhadrakali, Warangal

The Kakatiya-era Bhadrakali temple at Warangal in Telangana — one of the oldest Shakti temples in Telangana, dating to the Kakatiya period (12-14th century). The temple sits on a hill overlooking Warangal Fort, the Kakatiya capital from 1163 to 1323. The deity Bhadrakali is a Kali-Durga composite goddess, revered as the kuladevi (clan goddess) of the Kakatiya royal house. The temple's foundation is attributed to Kakatiya king Pulakeshi I (c.800 CE); major Kakatiya additions by Ganapati Deva (ruled 1199-1262) brought the current temple structure. The temple survived the 1310 Delhi Sultanate campaign (Malik Kafur's sack of Warangal) that destroyed much of the Kakatiya capital. The annual Dussehra festival each October is the main pilgrimage event. The temple is managed by the Telangana Endowments Department.