Thousand Pillars (Rudreshwara Swamy) Temple, Hanamkonda, Warangal, Andrapradesh, India

Thousand pillars temple is located in Hanamkonda part of the Warangal City

Temple Old view (Before 2005)

Now  Kalyana Mandapam

Temple

The Kalyana Mandapam that was crumbling was dismantled in 2005 to reconstruct the whole structure again.

Sri RudreshwaraSwamy Decorated By  Ardhanareshwara on Toli Ekadashi

Thousand Pillars Temple (Sri Rudreshwara Swami Temple)

Sri Rudreshwara Swami Temple

Temple

Nandhi 

Thousand Pillar Temple, a marvel for visitors in the slopes of the Hanumakonda hill on the Hanamkonda-Warangal highway and close to Warangal, is built in 1163 AD by King Rudra Dev, a Kakatiya dynasty king. The temple is made out of intricately carved thousand pillars and is constructed in the shape of a star. Mainly the temple encloses three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Surya. 

A mandapam with the structure of an amazing 6 foot Nandi is placed at the entrance of the temple. The temple has impressively carved doorways, ceilings with rich inscriptions and pillars. Many small lingams are placed in the premises of the temple. The background of the Hanumakonda hills is eye catching. This is a worth place to visit.

History of Thousand Pillar Temple

Thousand Pillar Temple, as the name suggests, has no less than thousand pillars. To be found near the Warangal-Hanumakonda Highway, this temple was built by the Kakatiya ruler, Rudradeva, in 1163 AD. Raised on a platform, this temple is about 10 km from the Warangal city of Andhra Pradesh. Thousand Pillar Temple presents a picturesque sight to behold and admire. An interesting fact about this temple is that it is designed in the shape of a star.

Architecture Thousand Pillars Temple

It is a brilliant example of Kakatiya style of architecture. Its thousand intricately carved pillars, perforated screens, wonderful icons and rock-cut elephants are worth-seeing. Not to be missed is the monolithic statue of Nandi that certainly reminds the rich taste of the rulers. The colossal structure of Nandi is carved out of a single piece of black basalt. Inside the majestic temple, there are three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya respectively. 

      Thousand Pillar Temple, with its own unique architectural style, is indeed the pride of India. The temple complex has lush green gardens, which attract everyone with their serenity. The ambiance is full of quietude and tranquility, tempting one to sit and experience the divine. The reverberation of bells, chirping of birds and gentle breeze further add to the celestial atmosphere. In short, this temple of thousand pillars is worth-visiting at least once

Now Development Works in Front Of Temple

Now Development Works in Front Of Temple

The slow pace of work on the reconstruction of the Kalyana Mandapam of the ancient Thousand Pillar temple is frustrating thousands of devotees and tourists making a beeline to see the world renowned monument. Work began after a long debate over the kind of foundation to be laid for the structure, only to be stopped at the level of ‘pradikshanapada' from where the actual pillars and columns should be erected. “It was estimated that it will cost Rs. 7.5 crore. But the release of funds is slow and work is well behind schedule,” he lamented.

The Kalyana Mandapam that was crumbling was dismantled in 

2005 to reconstruct the whole structure again.

However, experts differed on the nature of foundation to be laid before embarking on the task of putting in place the architectural marvel of the Kakatiya rulers.

A section of experts wanted Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) foundation while another favored granular pile foundation.

After deliberations, it was decided to go for granular pile foundation, avoiding use of steel, cement and concrete.

The project envisaged laying 310 granular piles of which 231 were completed as on date. “Granular pile involves digging a hole of 400 mm of 7.5 metre and filling it up with sand and coarse aggregate of granite, all packed compactly.

In the next stage, alternate to each pile, we will go for grouting 150 holes of 75 mm diameter.

Each hole with then be packed with lime mortar to fill any void between the piles in foundation and to make it almost monolithic sand stone with lime matrix,” explained Mr. Panduranga Rao who has been advising the Archaeological Survey of India.

The height of the temple is about 6.95 metres. Now, in the process of reconstruction, three layers from the ground-level have been completed. After three more layers, that completed the ‘pradikshanapada', the whole structure will now be filled with random rubble masonry to make the structure compact.

                                              Sri Ganapathi Deity In The Temple

Warangal Thousand Pillars Temple Timings & Visiting Hours

The day begins at the temple with "Suprbhatha Seva” ceremony at 5.00 AM Rudrabhishekam will be performed at 6.00 AM.

Ashtotharam	Rs  20-00
Rudrabhishekam	Rs  100-00
Rudrabhishekam (one Month)	Rs  501-00
Ekadasha Rudrabhishekam	Rs  516-00
Shiva Kalyanam	Rs  1116-00
Mahanyasapurvaka Rudrabhishekam	Rs  1116-00
Shashvitha Puja	Rs  1116-00
Nithya Gothra Archana	Rs   5116-00

Accommodation

In Warangal Excellent accommodation facilities are available.

How to Distance Warangal Thousand Pillars Temple

Hyderabad	Warangal	145 km
Chennai	Warangal	730 km
Nagpur	Warangal	450 km
Vijayawada	Warangal	237 km
Visakhapatnam	Warangal	520 Km
Nizamabad	Warangal	232 Km
Tirupathi	Warangal	652 Km

How to Reach Warangal  Thousand Pillars Temple

Warangal is about 145 km from Hyderabad and is well connected by Rail and Road.

APSRTC runs frequent buses from Hyderabad, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Nizamabad and Karinagar

The nearest airport is Hyderabad (145Km),
the nearest railway station is Kazipet & Warangal. Kazipet to  Thousand Pillars  temple9 km and Warangal to  Thousand Pillars 6km