Details of Thousand Pillars Temple in Warangal

Thousand Pillars Temple is build way back in 1163 AD and is an architectural marvel and is build in the Chalukya Style and displays the architecture and sculpture of the Kakatiya's. This temple is broadly divided into four parts as

1. Nandi
2. Entrance
3. Lintel
4. Detachable Mandapa

Nandi at Thousand Pillars Temple

The Nandi is a Monolithic which is finely carved from the black Basalt rock in a sitting position. This Nandi measures about 6 feet in height and has chiseled ornaments and garlands. This Nandi is in front of the Entrance to the Temple and each visitor to the temple is marveled at its carving.

Entrance of Thousand Pillars Temple

The entrance porch to the temple is south facing direction and has an attached central mandapa which is flanked on both sides by a bull and an elephant sculptures which represents strength, protection and allegiance because it is always considered that elephant represents the royal symbol and the bull as a religious symbol. The pillar's shafts are carved in the form of stacked boxes by nut and axle which forms carved shapes on the underside of the roof and are in place by wooden beams and brackets.

Lintel at Thousand Pillars Temple

The lintel is one of the most sacred places in the temple and is located in the interior of the temple in the central complex. The lintel spans to the entrance of the north shrine. The lintel shows a multi armed Vishnu in his narasimha avatar i.e the fierce lion incarnation. Then the dancing god is in a multi lobed arch that comes out from the makaras. Each of the makara carries a pair of riders who are male and female. The Vishnu's attributes of chakra in a proper right and upper position, the conch in a proper left an in upper side, the rosary in proper left and middle position. The other attributes are more difficult to be understood. To the left and right at the top of the lintel are the flying gandharvas. Near the feet of the god's statue there are many small adorants like a kneeling Garuda and two larger figures which may resemble Vishnu's club and mace.

Detached Mandapam of Thousand Pillars Temple

The detachable mandapam is one of the architectural marvel because the entire top portion on the temple can be separated and it has about about 300 columns supporting it. This is positioned south of the Nandi monolithic which is on the same axis as of the Nandi and the temple. The interiors are quite ruined and the archeology department is taking care to restore the structure.

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