Warangal: Warangal Fort and the iconic Thousand Temples, a will to the architectural glory and sculpture mastery of Kakatiya era and its prosperity, pay tribute to the Miss World contestant Miss Warangal, one of India’s best heritage cities, on Wednesday.
As part of the “Telangana Zaroor Aana” campaign, 22 contestants from mainland America visited Hanamkonda at night. Hanamkonda and Warangal Collectors Praveenya and Satya Sharada and police commissioner Sunpreet Singh received them at Haritha Kakatiya Hotel.
Participants joined the local women in the Bathukamma celebration, singing traditional songs before visiting the traditional website. They wore traditional Indian costumes and first visited the Thousand Pillar Temple, then the Warangal Fort.
One of the dancers Bala Thripura told Deccan Chronicle The contestants praised their outfits and thanked them for their warm welcome. In the temple, the contestants were given water and small bowls of feet to wash—habitual practice before prayers were provided by Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Shrine. Volunteer Rathna said the guests asked about the tradition and respected the ceremony after understanding its meaning.
After observing the wonderful monuments, they showed enthusiasm for the importance of the structure and the significance of the local guide. The visit also included photos taken at each of the main locations of the two heritage sites.
Konda Surekha, chief guest at the event held in Warangal Fort, said that receiving Miss World contestants in Orugallu, the ancient capital of Kakatiyas, was a pride in Telangana. She added that the event aims to include Telangana on the global tourism map by showing off its heritage, handlooms, food and hospitality.
As a gesture of cultural exchange, guests were given handmade souvenirs, including handloom saris, chili pepper samples and turmeric packaging. Meanwhile, a large crowd gathered in temples and fortresses to catch a glimpse of the International Beauty Queen. Visitors waved and greeted people, drawing public cheers from the air-conditioned buses.
Sunitha, a municipal officer with cleaning duties in Warangal Fort, told Deccan Chronicle that it was the first time she had seen so many foreign beauty queens in person. She smiled and said, “They are all so fair and thin. Some say ‘namaskaram’ and some wave to us.”
