Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanumakonda, Telangana
The Thousand Pillar Temple or Rudreshwara Swamy Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the town of Hanumakonda, Telangana State, India. Thousand Pillar Temple, a fine specimen of 'Kakatiya' architecture and sculpture. The temple was built by 'Rudra Devi' in 1163 AD. The temple is in shape of a star and has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is built on a 1m high platform on the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill, and has a majestic monolithic Nandi. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish.
There are many small lingam shrines surrounding the gardens. The temple is famous for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture. The atmosphere is calm and serene with the sonorous ringing of the puja bells, gentle chirping of the birds and the soothing cool breeze. Thousand Pillar temple is a place not only for devotees but for every history enthusiast and architecture lover. A place to must visit in Warangal, this 1000 Pillar Temple is sure to leave you mesmerized with its structural beauty.
Location
4-km from Hanumakonda crossroad in Warangal district is the Thousand Pillar Temple, a fine specimen of 'Kakatiya' architecture and sculpture.
About Warangal Temple / Thousand Pillar Temple
The 1000-pillar temple and the Ramappa temple in the district are glowing examples of the exquisite architecture patronized by the Kakatiyas. Warangal city today is part of a cluster of three towns - Warangal, Kazipet and Hanumakonda, the district headquarters. Attraction in the city are Planetarium, Musical Garden, Rock garden, Archeological Museum, Samskriti Vihar.
The district is also known of its picturesque lakes, hand-woven thick cotton fibre carpets, scroll painting done on cloth in earth colours mainly at Cheriyal nearby, and sheet-metal artistry at Pembarti. One of the most famous monuments of Telangana, the Thousand Pillar Temple, located in Hanamkonda, was built in 1163 AD by the Kakatiya King Rudra Deva, following the Chalukyan style of temple architecture.
The star shaped, triple-shrined temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Surya - with its perforated stone screens, richly carved icons, meticulously designed pillars and rock cut elephants, stands testimony to the highly evolved brilliance of Kakatiya architecture.
Places to stay in Warangal
Accommodation is available at the hotels in Warangal.
How to Get There
Air : The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 157-km away.
Rail : Warangal has a railway station and is well connected by rail to important cities of India.
Road : Government and Private buses connect Warangal with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Karimnagar, Khammam and some other districts.
