Thousand Pillar Temple – Warangal

The Thousand Pillar Temple ( Veyi Stambala Gudi ) in Telugu, at the foot of the Hanmakonda Hill in Warangal is the most famous temple. This temple is also known as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy temple and it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.Thousand Pillar Temple was built by the Kakatiya king Rudradeva in the 12th century. In this temple, three deities- Shiva, Vishnu and Surya are worshipped. They are called Trikutalayam. There are three temples, one for each deity.

Legendary of Thousand pillar temple

This magnificent temple is supported by 1000 carved pillars which completely adorn the temple. None of the pillars have been constructed in such a way that the view of the shrine is not obstructed.

⮚     Prominent shrines in the temple

The temple has 3 shrines dedicated to Rudradeva (Shiva), Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya (Sun). An interesting point about the deities here is that the third god is not part of the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Because the Kakatiyas worshiped Shiva and Surya more than Brahma. The fourth side of the temple is Shiva’s vehicle, i.e. Nandi or Bull.

1000 Pillar Temple Mystery

According to history, the temple was built by Kakatiya king Rudradeva between 1175-1324 CE. Warangal region was ruled by the Kakatiya Empire for a long time. A number of Hindu temples were built during the reign of the Kakatiya kings of Ganapati, Rudrama Devi and Prataparudra. This temple showcases the amazing architectural skills of the Kakatiya Vishwakarma Sthapathis.

Thousand Pillar Temple Architecture

This temple is one of the standing examples of exquisite craftsmanship of that era. This temple is supported by a thousand carved pillars, each of which is carefully placed out of sight of the deities. Shades and beautiful sculptures adorn every passageway of the temple and add a magnificent splendor to the structure. The temple stands on a 1 meter platform sloping towards the Hanamkonda Hill.

⮚    Star shaped architecture, Nandi statue

One of the most interesting aspects of the architecture of the thousand-pillared temple is its star-shaped sculpture. A huge idol of Nandi stands at the entrance of the temple. This massive monolithic Nandi idol is made of black basalt stone polished to perfection.

⮚    Natya Mandapam ( dance hall )

At the entrance of the 1000 pillar temple there are four exquisitely carved pillars of exquisite design supporting the Natya Mandapam or dance floor. It is believed that Dancers are used to perform in this Natya Mandapam. What is more interesting about the Kakatiyas’ architectural prowess is that when the ASI demolished the mandapam for reconstruction, they found 30 feet of sand and 3 wells beneath it. This is absolutely incredible.

Festivals are celebrated in the thousand pillars temple

Various festivals are held throughout the year in the thousand-pillared temple. These include Maha Shivratri, Kumkuma Puja, Kartika Poornima, Ugadi, Nagula Chavithi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Bonalu festival and Bathukamma festival. Every two years, a fair known as Saralamma Yatra or Sammakka is held in the temple.

Thousand Pillar Temple Timings:

The Thousand pillar temple timings are this temple is open to devotees daily from Morning 05:00 am to Night 09:00 pm including weekends and public holidays.

Thousand pillar temple Warangal Location:

Hyderabad – Warangal Highway, Raganna Darwaja,

Brahmanawada, Hanamkonda,

Telangana – 506001, India

How to Reach 1000 Pillar Temple

The ruins of the 1000 Pillar Temple are located 150 km from Hyderabad city near the Hanmakonda-Highway in Telangana state. There are many buses to Hanmakonda bus stop from all major towns of Telangana. The Thousand pillar temple is 1.5 km from Hanmakonda bus stop.

By Air – Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is the nearest airport to Hyderabad. Which is present at 150 km from Hanmakonda.

By train – Warangal Railway station is the nearest railway station which is located at just 6 kms away from the temple and is well connected by rail to main cities of India.

By road – Just 2 km from Hanamkonda Bus Station. APSRTC and private buses are connected to Hyderabad, Vijayawada and some other districts.

Nearby Attractions to Thousand pillar temple

• Ramappa Temple
• Warangal Fort
• Bhadrakali Temple
• Padmakshi Temple
• Karthikeya Zoological Park
• Regional Science Center Warangal

Thousand Pillar Temple Accommodation

Temple doesn’t provide any accommodation to the visitors, but there is a lot of hotels near to the temple

• Supreme Hotel
• Hotel Thousand pillar
• Hotel Shreya
• Hotel Mango tree
• Hotel Sreshta Inn
• Vishnu Lodge

1000 pillar temple warangal to hyderabad distance:

 3 hr 3 min (144.4 km) via NH163

1000 Pillar Temple to Bhadrakali Temple distance : 7 min (2.3 km) via NH563 and Kapuwada – Bhadrakali Temple Rd

Warangal to Thousand Pillar Temple distance : 14 min (5.7 km) via NH563

FAQs about Thousand Pillar Temple Warangal

Q: Where is the Thousand Pillar Temple located?

A: The Thousand Pillar Temple is located in Warangal, a city in the state of Telangana, India.

Q: What is the significance of the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: The Thousand Pillar Temple is a historically and architecturally significant temple. It is believed to have been built in the 12th century during the Kakatiya dynasty. The temple is dedicated to three Hindu deities: Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya. Its unique architectural style, intricate carvings, and the presence of thousands of pillars make it a popular tourist attraction.

Q: Why is it called the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: The temple derives its name from the presence of numerous pillars in its architecture. However, it is important to note that the actual count of pillars is not exactly a thousand, but it is estimated to be around 1,000.

Q: What is the architectural style of the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: The Thousand Pillar Temple showcases a combination of Chalukyan, Dravidian, and Kakatiyan architectural styles. The temple has three main shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya. The pillars are intricately carved with various motifs, including elephants, lions, and scenes from Hindu mythology.

Q: Can visitors enter the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: Yes, visitors are allowed to enter the Thousand Pillar Temple. However, photography and the use of mobile phones may be restricted inside the temple premises.

Q: Is there an entry fee to visit the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: Yes, there is an entry fee to visit the Thousand Pillar Temple. The fee is usually nominal and is charged per person.

Q: Are there any nearby attractions to visit along with the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: Yes, there are several other attractions near the Thousand Pillar Temple that visitors can explore. Some of the notable ones include the Warangal Fort, Bhadrakali Temple, Ramappa Temple (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and the Kakatiya Rock Garden.

Q: What is the best time to visit the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: The best time to visit the Thousand Pillar Temple is during the winter months (November to February) when the weather is pleasant. Summers (March to May) can be quite hot, while monsoons (June to September) may experience heavy rainfall.

Q: Is the Thousand Pillar Temple a functioning temple?

A: Yes, the Thousand Pillar Temple is a functioning temple where regular prayers and rituals take place. Devotees visit the temple to seek blessings from the deities and participate in religious ceremonies.

Q: Is there any specific dress code to enter the Thousand Pillar Temple?

A: It is advisable to dress modestly and respectfully while visiting the Thousand Pillar Temple. It is recommended to wear clothes that cover the shoulders and knees as a mark of respect for the religious site.

Thousand Pillar Temple Photos: