Rudreswara Temple, locally known as Veyisthambhalagudi
(Thousand Pillars Temple), is one of the finest and earliest available examples of
Kakatiya art, architecture, and sculpture. It was built by Rudra Deva and named
after him as 'Sri RudreswaraSwamy temple with the presiding deity Rudreswara
in 1163 CE in the style of later Chalukyan and early Kakatiyan Architecture. The
Plan of the temple is a star-shaped and triple shrine (Trikulalaya) that houses three
deities Rudreswara Vasudeva and Suryadeva in Western, Northern, and Eastern
shrines respectively around a central hall (Ranga Mandapa). The temple measures
over 31 x 25m and stands on a platform raised to a height of 1 m from the
ground.
There is a Kalyana Mandapa located to the South of the temple, famously
known as the Thousand Pillared Mandapa, which has about 300 pillars. The unique
type of foundation known as the sandbox technique was integrated to raise the temple
complex, which subsequently turned out to be the major cause of their damage and
abandonment. The skill of Kakatiya Sculptors is manifest in adroit
craftsmanship and flawless ivory carving technique in their art. The ingenuity
of Kakatiya sculptors is visible in the likes of lathe-turned, and shiny polish in
dolerite and granite stone sculpture and craft works of Ranga Mandapa. The roof
of the temple is devoid of any superstructure at present.
There is a Rishabam (Nandi) placed in the open space between
the main temple and the pillared mandapa. The garland of bells around the neck
and with other ornaments embellished on the Nandi portrays the Kakatiya touch. The
elegant carvings on the richly decorated pillars under a spacious ceiling
spanning the embellished side slabs identical to wood carvings are an
achievement of unparalleled excellence of the Kakatiya Architect. Other units
here include a rectangular stepped Pushkarini and a torana entrance in the east.
KAKATHIYAN ARCHITECTURE:
The group of temples and temple complex-related structures
in the Warangal region of the Kakatiyan Empire signifies a distinct architectural
pattern, style, and technology of the period and is 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 toranas 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 the Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology, and decoration exhibiting the
influence of Kakatiyan sculptors. Keerthi Toranas is another example of a distinct
style of Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to this
region, and a 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 those of Buddhist art traditions from the 2nd Century BCE to the 11th
Century CE.
Rudreswara Temple, locally known as VeyiSthambhala Gudi (Thousand Pillars Temple) at Hanamkonda
Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple
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
Ganapathi 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 valor 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 midway. 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 the Delhi Sultanate
and ruled for fifty years.
HANAMKONDA
INSCRIPTION
The
famous Hanamkonda inscription narrates the valiant deeds not only of himself
but also of his father Prola. The enemies he defeated included Melarasa, who was
a Mahamandaleswara. Melarasa appears to have ruled the territory in the
neighborhood of Warangal as Prola's subordinate. After Prola's death, Melarasa
attempted to throw off the yoke of the Kakatiyas, but Rudradeva worsted him in
battle and annexed his territory to the Kakatiya dominion. These, as well as the
other victories of Rudra so eloquently described in his Hanamkonda inscription,
did not bring him fresh accessions of territory, and he devoted the rest of his
reign to the conquest of the coastal region which lay between his kingdom and
the sea. During the last years of his reign, he founded near Hanamkonda a new
town called Orugallu (Warangal), which was destined to become the chief city of
the entire Andhra country under his successors.
This
Inscription also throws considerable light on the administration and military
institutions, agriculture and irrigation, and religious life of the people. The
Kakatiyas devoted much of their attention to safeguarding their dominions from
internal revolts and external dangers. Of the four kinds of fortresses, namely,
sthala, jala, vana, and giridurgas, established by them to defend the kingdom, the Giridurga at Hanamkonda and the Sthaladurga at Warangal in this district
were reckoned the most famous strongholds in the Kakatiya period.
Ref
Archaeological Survey of India, Display Board at the
Temple entrance.
CONTACT DETAILS
The mobile number +919989214813 may be contacted for
further details.
HOW TO REACH
This 1000-pillar temple is about 2 km from Hanamkonda Bus
Stand, 6 km from Warangal Railway Station, and 156 km from Hyderabad.
The nearest Railway Station is Warangal Railway Station.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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