Thousand Pillar Temple, Warangal

Warangal is flooded with splendid temples, historical monuments and huge forts. The Kakatiya rulers have beautified this region. Thousand Pillar Temple was built by KingRudra Deva in the year 1163 A.D. This temple reflects the magnificence of the Chalukya kings.

The Thousand Pillar Temple is built in the shape of a star. The temple constitutes of three shrines, where the presiding deities are Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. As the name of the temple reflects there are one thousand intricately carved pillars. The sculpture of ‘Nandi’Shiva’s vehicle, carved out of monolithic black basalt stone has a glossy finish which is a splendid example of the expertise of the artisans. The Thousand Pillar Temple is constructed on the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill, on a 1 metre high platform. Many small shrines dedicated to Shiva encircle the garden of the temple.

The Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal, can be reached through rail, road and air. The nearest airport from Warangal is at Hyderabad, which is 157 kms away. The railway station of Warangal links the city with the various major cities of India. Both State and Private buses ply from Warangal to connect it with Bhagyanagar, Vijayawada, Karimnagar, Khammam and some of the important districts of Andhra Pradesh and the neighboring states.