Warangal, dating back to the 1100's and mentioned in the travel diaries of Marco Polo, offers an insight into the development of Hindu temple architecture.
Location
4-km from Hanumakonda crossroad in Warangal district is the Thousand Pillar Temple, a fine specimen of 'Kakatiya' architecture and sculpture.
About Warangal Temple / Thousand Pillar Temple
The 1000-pillar temple and the Ramappa temple in the district are glowing examples of the exquisite architecture patronized by the Kakatiyas. Warangal city today is part of a cluster of three towns - Warangal, Kazipet and Hanamkonda, the district headquarters. Attraction in the city are Planetarium, Musical Garden, Rock garden, Archeological Museum, Samskriti Vihar.
The district is also known of its picturesque lakes, hand-woven thick cotton fibre carpets, scroll painting done on cloth in earth colours mainly at Cheriyal nearby, and sheet-metal artistry at Pembarti. One of the most famous monuments of Andhra Pradesh, the Thousand Pillar Temple, located in Hanamkonda, was built in 1163 AD by the Kakatiya King Rudra Deva, following the Chalukyan style of temple architecture.
The star shaped, triple-shrined temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Surya - with its perforated stone screens, richly carved icons, meticulously designed pillars and rock cut elephants, stands testimony to the highly evolved brilliance of Kakatiya architecture.
Getting There
Air : The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 157-km away.
Rail : Warangal has a railway station and is well connected by rail to important cities of India.
Road : APSTRC and Private buses connect Warangal with Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Karimnagar, Khammam and some other districtsBR>
