The Thousand Pillar Temple

Design Resource

Warangal Fort and Temple Architecture

Kakatiya Masterpiece

Prof. Bibhudutta Baral, Divyadarshan C S and Rakshitha

The Thousand Pillar Temple

The famous Thousand-pillar temple is one of the best examples of Kakatiya architecture. It was built by Rudra Deva, at the slopes of Hanamakonda hill and it was dedicated to the Lord Shiva (Rudradeva), Lord Vishnu(Vasudeva) and Lord Sun(Suryadeva) in 1163 AD. This temple has the star shaped base and triple shrined (Trikutalaya). Though Shaivisam (devotion to lord Shiva) continued to be the religion of masses of kakatiya dynasty still intellectuals preferred the revival of Vedic rituals. They sought to reconcile the Vaishnavites (followers of lord Vishnu) and the Shaivites (followers of lord Shiva) through the worship of Harihara (combination of lord Vishnu and lord Shiva).This temple is known as Veyisthambala Gudi (thousand pillar temple) in local. As Rudra Deva built this, the temple is named after him as ‘Sri Rudreswara swamy temple’ with the presiding deity ‘Rudreswara’. This temple is built in the style of Chalukyan temple architecture. The decorations and the complexes of temple built during the time of Kakatiyas have a distinct style and technology exposing the impact of Kakatiya sculptor. One thousand, as the name indicates, these many pillars carved of various dimensions, which are perfect in symmetry and style. The exquisite icons, elephants, etc are also found in this ancient Dravidian temple. The structure of 6 feet monolithic black basalt Nandi is also placed at the entrance of the temple as the holy bull of Lord Shiva and the rock cut elephants are placed on either side of the main shrine. The temple also has amazingly carved doorways, ceilings with rich inscriptions. These pillars of the temple are of black stone are three-quarter reliefs carved intricately in geometric designs through which the finest hairbreadth can only be inserted into the holes of the delicately carved stone bangle.

This temple is constructed by using an unique technique called sandbox technique for strengthening the foundation. In this technique a deep pit is dug and filled with sand and covered with huge rock beams. On this rock platform the huge columns were raised and then the main structuring was made. This invention of technique of Kakatiya sculptors is immortal. The skill of Kakatiya sculptors is also evident in the skillful craftsmanship and flawless ivory carving technique in their art.

These creations of Trikutalaya temple and Kirthi Torana entrance gateways constructed by Kakatiyas are the most typical examples in the aspect of form and design.The Kakatiya temples and gateways are the outstanding examples of architectural, sculptural and structural inventiveness of Kakatiya sculptors. This architecture has the unique components that are not seen elsewhere. They demonstrate both the creative masterpiece and stand as a special example for the continuity of evolved cultural traits and the transformation through interchange of cultural values for many years of Indian art history.

Warangal is undoubtedly with the rich past from which the art lovers and the people interested in architecture, history and ancient monuments can gain the knowledge from in and around Warangal fort. But today such architectural marvel, which Kakatiyas built few centuries ago, is only a pale shadow of it. The fort has shattered down into ruins but the remnants of the fort still displays the valuable insight of the past civilization. And in Trikutalaya temple though the two precious Panchaloha (five metal alloys) idols of Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya are mislaid but still the architectural beauty of the temple lingers and draws the attention of the tourists towards itself.

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Warangal Fort and Temple Architecture