രണ്ട് ചുറ്റുമതിലുകളുള്ള ദോമകൊണ്ട കോട്ടയ്ക്കുള്ളിൽ രണ്ട് കൊട്ടാരങ്ങളും ഒരു പുരാതന ശിവക്ഷേത്രവുമാണുള്ളത്. സ്വകാര്യസംരക്ഷണയിലാണ് കോട്ട. അതടക്കം മറ്റ് പല കാരണങ്ങളും ഉള്ളതുകൊണ്ടാകാം കോട്ടയ്ക്കുള്ളിൽ ക്യാമറ ഉപയോഗിക്കാൻ നിഷ്ക്കർഷയുണ്ട്. മൊബൈൽ ക്യാമറ മാത്രമാണ് അനുവദിക്കുന്നത്. phone ക്യാമറയിൽ എടുത്ത ദൃശ്യങ്ങളാണിത്.
The temple plan consists of a shrine (cella) which is connected to a closed mantapa (hall) by a vestibule (antechamber). The closed mantapa leads to an open pillared mantapa, with the temple as a whole facing the east. Some parts of the temple, such as the cornice and parapet over the outer edge of the roof of the open mantapa are missing.[6] The main temple, the sanctum of which has a linga (symbol of Shiva),[6] is surrounded by thirteen minor shrines, each with its own linga. The temple has two other shrines, dedicated to Murthinarayana and Chandraleshwari, parents of Mahadeva, the Chalukya commander who consecrated the temple.[7]
The closed mantapa has a doorway on each side, with the eastern doorway leading to the open mantapa and the western doorway to the sanctum. The door panels are well wrought and the ceiling of the porches have a ribbed design in them. The decoration of the outer walls follows the same pattern as that of the shrine.[6] The great open mantapa has 64 pillars, 24 of which are full pillars which start from the floor and support the main ceiling. The remaining are half pillars (or "dwarf pillars") which start from the bench (parapet wall) that surrounds the mantapa and support the sloping eaves. The pillars in this hall bear similarities to the porch pillars at the Dodda Basappa Temple at Dambal and the lathe-turned pillars (whose rounded sections are lathe-turned) at the Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi.[1]
The square ceiling of the open mantapa which are supported by the four central pillars exhibits interesting fretted stonework. The ceiling here has been worked into a decorative arabesque foliage and makaras (mythical beasts) which flow from the mouth of a Kirtimukha (gargoyle or demon face). This type of stonework is considered as high a quality as any.[1] In stark contrast, the interior of the closed mantapa and the sanctum are plain and simple. It is believed that bracket figures that once adorned the outside pillars are now missing. These forward leaning bracket figures (Salabhanjika), which normally represent female forms in various poses (such as dancing or adorning themselves), would have rested on small blocks on the shaft of the pillars (capital), finding support from the underside of the overhanging cornice via a slot in their upper end.[8]The spires of the Elgandal Fort or Elagandula Khilla stand tall into the sky, piercing their way out to narrate the stories of its glorious past from the skyline of Karimnagar. They stand proudly narrating the glories of its past to posterity. Even after facing ravages of man and nature, the Elgandal fort still stands high showing its lust for power that has been pivotal in grazing and raising dynasties. The crumbling walls of this magnificent fort still carry the stamp of every dynasty that had once embraced its illustrious portals. Despite its debauched state, the Fort still remains one of the most splendid relics of Telangana's history and a commonly visited spot in Karimnagar tourism.
Located on a very scenic hillock, the fort gives a beautiful view of the Elgandal town. The fort is accessed with its only entrance gateway. The sumptuousness of the entrance gate continues to appeal tourists even today. The Elgandal town is situated on the banks of the Manair River. This place has become an important part of history as it has seen the reign of five major dynasties - the Kakatiyas, the Bahmanis, the Qutub Shahis, the Mughals and the Nizams.Elgandal Fort is situated amidst palm groves on the banks of the Manair River (a tributary of the Godavari River), approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) from Karimnagar on the Sircilla Road in the Indian state of Telangana. It was once under the control of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, the Mughal Empire, and the Nizams of Hyderabad. During the Nizam era it was the headquarters of Karimnagar. It is believed that a secret tunnel connects Elgandal Fort and Manakondur some 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) from Karimnagar on the Karimnagar-Vemulawada highway.[1]