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Built at the foot of the Hanamkonda hill in the 12th Century, during the reign of King Rudradeva, the Thousand Pillars Temple is yet another work of art of the Kakatiya dynasty. The Thousand Pillar Temple stands on a star shaped platform, while the foundation of the temple as well as the Kalyana Mandapam facing it was laid using sandbox technology. This technique involves digging a deep pit, filling it with sand and covering with rock beams. Many carved pillars support the structure of the temple and giving its name.
Thousand Pillars Temple, also known as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple is an active temple, where rituals are performed daily. It is called a Trikutalayam, which has three shrines of Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya connected with a square shaped mandapam. On the fourth side, facing the shrine is an ornately sculpted monolithic Nandi, Lord Shiva’s sacred bull that reveals the grandeur and artistic excellence of the Kakatiya period.
Warangal, the seat of power of the Kakatiya dynasty and currently the second largest city in Telangana, gets its name from Orugallu which means ‘One stone’. The construction of the stronghold, Warangal Fort began in the 12th Century during the rule of king Ganapati deva, it was later completed by his daughter Rani Rudramadevi. The Kakatiyas were eventually defeated in 1323 by Ghiasuddin Tughlaq who ordered a near total destruction of the Fort.
The innermost fortification of the Fort comprises of four 30-feet tall ornamental stone gateways, known as Keerthi Thoranalu or Kakatiya Kala Thoranalu, in the four cardinal directions with the Swayambhu Shiva temple (now in ruins) at its centre. This Kakatiya arch is officially incorporated into the emblem of the Telangana state.
Standing on the bank of Ramappa lake at Palampet village, Mulugu district (erstwhile Warangal), the exquisite Ramappa temple had acquired the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site tag in July 2021.
A glittering jewel in the treasure-trove of medieval temples in the Deccan, Ramappa temple is an architectural masterpiece and the only temple in India to be named after its chief architect. The shrine, Sri Ramalingeshwara is dedicated to Lord Shiva and built in 1213 CE, by General Recherla Rudra during the reign of Kakatiya King Ganapathi Deva.
Every facet of this remarkable edifice is a testament to the Kakatiya skill and artistic brilliance, from the carvings that adorn the walls and pillars as well as intricately detailed panels on the ceilings. The towering gopuram (spire) of Ramappa is built with lightweight porous bricks that float in water while the highly polished bracket figures that provide support in the outer precincts also flaunt classic feminine aesthetics in the form of shalabhanjikas.
The temple is believed to be built in 625 CE by the King Pulakeshin II of Chalukya dynasty to commemorate his victory over Vengi region of Andhra Desham, as per the writings on the temple wall. Kakatiya kings later have adopted the temple and considered Goddess Bhadrakali as their kuladevata. A lake was also built by Ganapati-deva adjacent to the temple. Due to the fall of Kakatiya dynasty to the Muslim rulers of Delhi, the temple lost its prominence. The Kakatiyas negotiated a truce with Allauddin Khilji by offering the diamond in exchange not to be invaded. He sent his slave and personal confidant Malik Kufur to personally transport the diamond. In 1950, the temple was renovated by Sri Ganesh Rao Sastri a devi upasaka along with Gujrati businessman Shri Maganlal Sameja. After that the help of a local public and other affluent locals. Apara Ekadashi is observed as Goddess Bhadrakali Ekadashi. The history of the Koh-i-Noor diamond; part of British Crown Jewels, is closely associated with this temple as it was installed, as the left eye of Goddess Bhadrakali by the Kakatiya dynasty.
The Lakhnavaram Lake which hides itself amidst the hills was discovered during the Kakatiya reign and the rulers expanded it to grow as a source of irrigation. An added attraction to this mystic beauty is the suspension bridge. The hanging bridge takes you to the mini-island in the lake.
Rock art is a form of landscape art, which is found only in certain regions of India. Jayashankar Bhupalpally district in Telangana is home to many prehistoric habitation sites. Paleolithic cave paintings have been found at Pandavula Gutta (Regonda mandal). Pandavula Konda (Pandavula Gutta) site was first discovered in the year 1990. The major attraction here is rock climbing.
These cave paintings offer a rare glimpse into the prehistoric man’s rock art identified on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters and isolated boulders. The rock art paintings depict wild life like Bison, Antelope, Tiger, Leopard etc. Other shapes like swastika symbol, circles and squares, weapons such as bows, arrows, sword and lancer etc are present in these paintings. The paintings also feature geometrical designs and impressions in green, red, yellow and white pigment colours. Pandavula Gutta is rich in terms of number of paintings, rock shelters and its habitation, right from the mesolithic to medieval times.
Major Attractions: Paleolithic Rock Art Paintings, Eduru Pandavula Guhalu, Rock Climbing, Rappelling and Hiking.
Pakhal Lake, situated amidst undulating forest land hills and dales is a popular retreat for the tourists. The lake constructed around 1213 A.D. by Kakatiyan Ruler, Ganapati deva is spread over an area of 30 km2., provides a beautiful site. Set around the shores of this lake is the Pakhal Wild Life Sanctuary with an area of 839 km2. It is a dense forest shelter for a variety of fauna.
The sanctuary harbors mammals which include the nilgai, chital, leopard, jackal, sloth bear, porcupine, langoor, bonnet macaque, and reptiles like the python, cobra, russell’s viper, common krait, monitor lizard, indian chameleon, and occasionally, marsh crocodiles. Fishes of the lake include Botcha, Rohu, Jella, Chandamama, Naayanikuntha, Peraka, Poomeenu, Korramatta, Kodipe, Kailam, &c. belonging to at least 6 orders of freshwater fishes.
Kota Gullu were constructed by King Ganapati deva, the king of Kakatiya dynasty who ruled during the period of 1199–1260 CE. It suffered major damage either through the attacks from the Muslim armies between 14th and 16th centuries CE, or through a major earthquake in the region in 17th century CE.
