Bhadrakali Temple of Warangal - the original home of the Koh-i-noor diamond?

Koh-i-Noor diamond has been a part of the crown of the Queen of England after the colonial British empire snatched it away from India; yet the earliest history of this iconic diamond is still shrouded in mystery.

It’s well documented journey starts from the time Allaudin Khilji defeated the Kakatiyas rulers of Telangana and took the diamond as part of its bounty. But where was the diamond when the Kakatiyas owned it? They were the ones who mined it from the Kollur mine, which back then was one of the only few such mines in the world.

One of the theories is that the diamond was actually the left eye of the goddess in the Bhadrakali temple located in the city of Warangal. Read more here.

bhadrakali temple photo image warangal telangana
Golden Temple of South India

bhadrakali temple photo image warangal telangana
Shiva Parvati at the Bhadrakali Temple, Warangal

bhadrakali temple photo image warangal telangana
Gurukul style learning represented on the cliff face

So when I was in Warangal recently, I decided to make a visit to the temple which is also the oldest temple of the region. It was actually built in the 7th century by the Chalukya kings, much before the Kakatiyas ruled the region.

Short history of Koh-i-noor

Unfortunately when Delhi sultanate took over the region, the Bhadrakali temple was also destroyed along with all the other temples. The eye of the goddess, Koh-i-Noor, traveled with the victors to Delhi and with that the journey of the diamond across the continents started. From Khilji it moved to the Mughals, then to the Shahs of Persia, followed by Afghans, Sikhs and finally to the British. The last legal owner, Ranjit Singh willed it to the Jagannath Temple of Puri. However, after his death the will was not executed and the British took it to their queen and made it a part of the crown.

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Kohinoor at it's present home - in London

From a journey that started from a temple, the diamond almost came back to another temple which is barely 100 km away from its original home. However, that never happened.

The present day temple was revived in the 1950s when a group of rich merchants came together to bring the temple back to life. Today it’s a thriving temple and visited my thousands every year. (Source)

Things to do at the Bhadrakali Temple, Warangal

The temple, also sometimes referred to as the Golden Temple of south India, is built in the traditional Chalukya style and one of the reasons to visit it would be to marvel at it's architectural beauty. Go during sunrise or sunset to see it glow during the Golden hour! It's a sight to behold.

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Bhadrakali Lake


Right next to the temple is a lake called Bhadrakali Lake, which makes for some lovely pictures. People are not allowed to step in or bathe in it's waters.

Finally, visit the temple to gaze over the beautiful image of goddess Bhadrakali and offer prayers. She is known to not send her disciples empty handed.

Comments

  1. Great blog post article and the perspective is impressive. Your details and perception are unique as a traveler. I will follow your journey.

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  2. Wow! Amazing history of the Kohinoor diamond. Nice pictures. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  3. I wish I could visit this temple. It is a peaceful place surrounded by the Bhardrakali Lake. The Kohinoor had been passed through so many hands. I never knew about its history.

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  4. I have been to this temple and I would recommend everyone to visit it once. The Kohinoor diamond looks beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing the story of this diamond. Loved it!

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  5. Till now I have heard of Kohinoor as a diamond, which was stolen from India. thanks for sharing such an informative blog.

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  6. After reading your blog, surely going to visit the Bhadrakali Temple, the Golden temple of South India to actually unveil all those legends and to know more about all of it.

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  7. Not to miss Thousand Pillars Temple nearby, Warangal is historic place to visit
    kakatiya fort
    Ramappa temple
    Lakhnavaram
    Bogatha falls
    For a package tour

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  8. I have been to Bhadra Kali Temple last year, it surely is The Golden temple of Sothern part of India owing to its rich architectural beauty. It surely is an unmissable while south India excursion.

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  9. As interesting as its name, Bhadrakali temple unfolds a lot of pages about the varying legends associated with Kohinoor and I would love to visit it someday, I like to visit these places a lot who are well associated with the historical past. thanks for sharing this blog.

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  10. As interesting as its name, Bhadrakali temple unfolds a lot of pages about the varying legends associated with Kohinoor and I would love to visit it someday, I like to visit these places a lot who are well associated with the historical past. thanks for sharing this blog.

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  12. Glad to know about Bhadrakali temple Sid.

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  13. After reading your blog, surely going to visit the Golden temple of South India to actually unveil all those legends and to know more about all of it.
    http://www.hiddenindiatours.com/tour-packages/royal-heritage-tours/

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  14. The tourist location is beautiful and very ideal. thank you for sharing
    vex 3

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  15. Proud to be the citizen of warangal

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