The Thousand Pillar Temple or Rudreshwara Swamy Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the town of Hanamakonda, Telangana State, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. Thousand Pillar Temple, along with "warangal Fort" and "Ramappa Temple" are added to the tentative list of World Heritage sites recognised by UNESCO.
Many Hindu temples were developed under the patronage of Ganapati Deva, Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra who were of Kakatiya dynasty. The Thousand Pillar Temple was believed to be constructed during the period between 1175-1324 CE by order of the king, Rudra Deva. It stands out to be a masterpiece and achieved major heights in terms of architectural skills by the ancient Kakatiya vishwakarma sthapathis.
It was desecrated by the Tughlaq dynasty during their invasion of the Deccan. But the Nizam of Hyderabad Mir Osman Ali Khan donated 1 Lakh INR towards this temple. The Thousand Pillar Temple with its ruins lies near the Hanamkonda-Warangal Highway in Telangana State, about 150 kilometres (93 mi) from the city of Hyderabad.
Thousand Pillar temple is situated in the heart of Warangal, the erstwhile capital of the region during the Kakatiya dynasty. The Thousand pillars temple which is located in Hanamkonda is one of the most important parts of Warangal City. It is considered to be one of the best-created temples during the golden period of the Telugu country. It was built by King Surya Deva in the year 1163, after which the original name of the temple Rudreswara Temple was kept. Thousand Pillar temple or the 1000 Pillar Temple has three presiding deities which are Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya. There is a Nandi cow too which is right outside the temple that adds beauty & grandeur to the temple. It was commissioned and constructed after the reign of the king. The temple stands as a statement of the finest of the arts of the Kakatiyas. Visiting the Thousand Pillar Temple is a must if you want to learn more about the richness of our country. Warangal Fort, Thousand Pillar Temple, and Ramappa Temple of this region were added to the tentative list of World Heritage sites, which has been recognized by UNESCO. Thousand Pillar Temple is a very popular pilgrimage center, in Warangal and thousands of devotees of all faiths come here to pay their homage and get a glimpse of this wonderful construction.
Thousand Pillar temple in Warangal
How To Reach
By Air: The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, which is 150 km away from Hanmakonda.
By Train: The nearest Railway Station is located at Kazipet Junction at a distance of 10 km.
By Road: It is a 2 km route from Hanamkonda Bus station to 1000 pillar temple. The thousand Pillar Temple is situated between the city of Warangal and Hanamkonda & is well connected by road.
Best Time To Visit
Thousand Pillar temple in Warangal
There is no fixed time to visit the famous 1000 pillar temple. You can plan for this place with your family at any time of the year. Thousand Pillar Temple is worth a visit.
Timings
6 AM - 8 PM
Address
Hyderabad - Warangal Hwy, Brahmanawada, Hanamkonda, Telangana, 506011, India
Does it really have a thousand pillars?
Though it’s called the thousand pillar temple, the temple doesn’t have 1000 pillars and the number is a little over 300. The name comes from the travelers who were amazed to see so many pillars and started calling it the Thousand Pillar Temple and somehow the name stuck.
History
Thousand Pillar temple in Warangal
According to historical evidence, Thousand Pillar Temple was constructed between 1175-1324 AD following the orders of Kakatiya king Rudra Deva. It is considered a masterpiece and had achieved magnificent glory for its architectural works by the Vishwakarmasthapathis of that era. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu gods of Vishnu, Shiva, and Surya. The Thousand Pillar Temple is located close to the Hanmakonda-Warangal Highway in Telangana. There are hundreds of Hindu temples built under the support of Kakatiya kings like Rudrama Devi, Ganapati Deva, and Prataparudra of the Kakatiya Dynasty. The Thousand PillarTemple or Rudreshwara Swamy Temple is a historic Hindu shrine which is located in the town of Hanmakonda. The Warangal region in Telangana was a place that was ruled by Kakatiyas for a long time. The region is dotted with several temples and other heritage monuments which is the influence of Kakatiyas.
The Architecture of the Temple
Thousand Pillar temple in Warangal
The temple is considered a fine example of architecture and sculptural glory. The Thousand Pillar Temple is built in the typical Chalukya style. The Chalukya sculptors were well known for their abilities and skills and are another example of their excellent effort. The interior of the temple is built-in black granite and the carvings are mesmerizing to see. Though most of the human figures are destroyed, with some thought, it’s surely possible to imagine the magnificent past of the famous T