This
temple is on the roadside towards Ramappa Lake. This is restored and kept as a
monument. A Rishabam is in front of the temple facing the central sanctum
sanctorum. The Rishabam has intricately carved malas and bells similar to the Ramappa Temple. The temple consists of three sanctum sanctorums, with a common ardha
mandapam, and a porch. The door jambs have sculptures of Dwarapalakas and
attendants. The sanctum sanctorums are on adhistanam. The three sanctum
sanctorums are without vimana.
The
ardha mandapa pillars are carved as per the Kakatiya architecture and support
the common ardha mandapam.
The
front side walls have beautiful sculptures of female goddesses, Dancers,
Musicians, Madanikas, lions, and erotic images. The jalas are with intricate
carvings.
The
temple may belong to the 12th to 13th century, built during
Kakatiya's reign.
KAKATHIYAN
ARCHITECTURE:
The
group of temples and temple complex-related structures in the Warangal region of the Kakatiyan Empire signify a distinct architectural pattern, style, and technology
of the period and are representative of a distinct regional style exhibiting
local innovation in temple building tradition. Along with Rudreswara Temple,
locally known as VeyiSthambhala Gudi (Thousand Pillars Temple) at Hanamkonda
the other characteristic temples and temple complexes include Archaeological
remains of Swayambhu temple and keerthi thoranas at Warangal Fort and
Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, which is located about 65 km from Warangal.
Most of the temples show the character and evolved from the later Chalukyan
style of temple architecture. But all the temples and temple complexes of
Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology, and decoration exhibiting the
influence of Kakatiyan sculptors. Keerthi Thoranas is another example of a distinct style of Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only
to this region and testimony to highly evolved proportions of aesthetics in
temple and town gateways in South India. The toranas demonstrate both a
creative masterpiece and a continuity and transformation through the interchange of
cultural values like that of Buddhist art traditions from the 2nd Century BCE to the 11th Century CE.
HISTORY
OF KAKATHIYAS
The twelfth Century witnessed the emergence of a new dynasty “Kakatiyas" with
Hanamkonda as its capital. Prola-II was the first independent ruler (1116-1157
CE) of this dynasty with Hanamkonda as the seat of power. His successor
Rudradeva (1150-1195 CE) extended the kingdom northwards up to the Godavari delta.
He built a fort at Warangal to serve the purpose of a second capital. His
Hanamkonda inscription narrates the valiant deeds not only of himself but also of
his father Prola. Rudra left no heirs to succeed him, so after he died in war
with the Yadavas of Devgiri, his younger brother Mahadeva ascended the throne and
ruled the kingdom for a shorter period of three years. Mahadeva was also killed
in a battle with the Yadavas and his son Ganapati was taken prisoner and the
kingdom was thrown into confusion. Recherla Rudra the commander-in-Chief of
Ganapati Deva, saved the kingdom from disintegration. Meanwhile, Ganapati was
released from prison and sent back to rule his kingdom by the Yadava Ruler
Jaitrapala. Ganapati Deva Maharaja (1199-1262 CE) was the greatest among the
Kakatiya rulers who shifted the capital to Orugallu.
Ganapati
Deva was succeeded by his daughter Rudramadevi (1262-1289 CE) who due to her
velour and able governance of the kingdom and as she attired in male garb was
called “Rudra Deva Maharaja”, assumed the regal title "Raya
Gajakesari". Her grandson PratapaRudra succeeded to the throne in 1289 CE
and ruled till 1323 CE. He was the last ruler of the Kakatiya dynasty. In the
final war, he was captured as a prisoner and sent to Delhi by the Ulugh Khan,
the son of Ghiyasu-d-Din Tughluq. But PratapaRudra died mid-way. Thus, came the
end of the Kakatiya dynasty in 1323 CE. After the defeat of Pratap Rudra Musünnuri Nayaks united seventy-two Nayak
Chieftains and captured Warangal from Delhi sultanate and ruled for fifty
years.
Ref
Archaeological
Survey of India, Display Board at the Temple entrance.
LOCATION
OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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