The Thousand Pillar Temple or Rudreswara Swamy Temple is a historical Hindu temple located in the town of Hanamakonda, Telangana State. It is dedicated to three shrines, Bhagwan Shiva, Vishnu and Surya and hence also known as Trikutalayam.
History
It is named after the Kakatiya King Rudra Deva who built this temple in 1163 AD and hence known as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple. It is said that it took nearly 72 years to build this temple, which is an architectural marvel. This temple was built to commemorate the victory of the Kakatiya dynasty over the Chalukya dynasty in the battle of Palnadu.
The temple was desecrated by the Tughlaq dynasty during their invasion (1324-25 AD) of the Deccan. The Delhi Sultan, Allaudin Khilji, fought Kakatiyas seven times and was defeated each time. He decided to destroy the Kakatiya structures, and during the attack, the murtis of Bhagwan Surya and Vishnu in the 1000 pillars temple were demolished. However, the 7th Nizam of Hyderabad, (Mir Osman Ali Khan) donated a grant of Rs. 1 Lakh towards the reconstruction of this temple.
Architecture
The entire structure of the Thousand Pillar Temple is in star shape. As one enters the temple, on the both sides of the entrance beautifully carved sculpture of elephants can be seen. Carvings on the ceilings of the temple and its exterior walls are also equally exquisite. Thousand Pillar Temple has been built in the architectural style similar to Chalukyan temples and early Kakatiyan Architecture. At the entrance of the shrine of Bhagwan Shiva, is a huge carving of Nandi, the divine bull mount of Bhagwan Shiva, made of black basalt rock. Carved out of a single stone, sculpture of Nandi exhibits the artistic fineness of bygone eras.
Unlike most temples in India that face east, 1000 pillar temple faces south. Because, the Kakatiyas, worshipers of Bhagwan Shiva, wanted early morning sun rays to fall directly on Shiva Lingam. So, of the three shrines, Shiva’s shrine faces east and other shrines face south (Surya) and west (Vishnu). On the fourth side is Nandi. Between these four corners is the Natya Mandapam (dance floor) where dancers performed in those days. Nandi usually sits in front of Bhagwan Shiva in all other temples, but here Nandi faces Bhagwan Vishnu, Nandi eyeballs Bhagwan Surya, and Nandi ears Bhagwan Shiva in this position. The Nandi in 1000 pillar temple looks east, unlike most Nandis in Indian temples that look west. One can notice that the sounds produced by striking the Surya temple entry pillar with a coin or finger are distinct.
The pillars in this temple are unique in the sense that some pillars are a part or extension of adjacent pillars. These pillars are so tightly knit, they practically form the walls of the temple. The perfect symmetry and design of these pillars are such that no pillar obstructs the devotees’ eye sight when they look towards the deity. The main shrines have sculptures of rock-cut elephants guarding them on each side, and there are beautiful carvings of the elephants on many pillars too.
Another noteworthy detail of Thousand Pillar Temple’s architecture is its sandbox foundation. The temple is built using the sandboxing technique, where a huge pit is dug up and filled with heaps of sand and covered with huge rock beams. Then on this strong platform, the base of the structure is built by erecting tall beams and columns. This Kakatiya invention provides a strong base for the structure and makes it permanent and long lasting.
Natya Mandapam
The Natya Mandapam (dance floor) is supported by four magnificent pillars, each richly carved with exquisite designs. The pillars have multiple designs, ranging from 2 centimeters to about 30 centimeters, on the perimeter of circular pillar. The designs of jewellery that was popular those days i.e., Chains, bangles, rings, crowns and the Kalasam (inverted pot with pointed top) can be seen beautifully carved one after another on each pillar. The design also has flowers finely carved where one can even notice gap between petals. The roof of the Natya Mandapam in 1000 pillar temple is a master piece in itself. It has Gayatri, the goddess of learning with Chaturmukham (four faces). The roof has overall 3 Chaturmukhas or 12 such faces in all. One can see the murti of Nataraja Swami on Bhagwan Shiva Temple, Natya Indra on top of Surya Temple, and Natya Narasimha Swami on top of Vishnu Temple. All the murtis are in dancing positions. As the temple was built by Rudra Deva it also houses a deity in his name.
Secret Route
A water well next to the temple was constructed and maintained which contains a series of steps for accessing the water. There is an underground route that leads from the 1000 Pillar temple to Warangal Fort which is believed to have been used by the Kakatiya rulers to visit the temple.
Protected monument
The ingenuity of Kakatiya sculptors is visible in likes of lathe turned, and shiny polish in dolerite and granite stone sculpture and craftwork of Natya Mandapam in the 1000 pillars temple. In 2001, the Thousand Pillar Temple was declared a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India. The temple was renovated in 2004 by the Government of India. Archaeological Survey of India and modern engineers have been working for the temple’s further renovation. This temple is also added to the tentative list of World Heritage Site recognised by UNESCO.
Grand celebrations are held in the temple during Mahashiva Rathri, Karthika Masam, Maghamasam, and Shravana Masam.
During the Kakatiya dynasty, which ruled Andhra region from 750 AD – 1325 AD – for 575 years, many Hindu temples were developed under the patronage of their prominent rulers Ganapati Deva, Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra.
How to Reach:
By Air
The nearest airport is at Hyderabad, 150 kms away from Hanmakonda
By Train
The nearest railway Station is located at Kazipet Junction at a distance of 10 km.
By Road
Just 2 km from Hanamkonda Bus station.
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