Thousand Pillar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located at Hanamakonda in the Warangal district of Telangana State, India. This magnificent temple was constructed in 1163 by the Kakatiya dynasty King Rudra Deva. The temple is officially called Sri Rudreswara Swamy Temple. It is named after the king who built it. This Temple is the finest example of Kakatiya architecture, art, and sculpture.

This Temple is built 1.5 meters above ground level. It is 31 meters in length and 21 meters in width. Thousand Pillar Temple is believed to have been made between A.D. 1175 and 1324. This Temple has three deities: Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, and the Sun. This Temple is locally known as Veyisthambala Gudi. 

There is a giant monolithic Nandi statue in front of the Temple. Finely carved pillars are the specialty of the Temple. There are perforated screens in the Temple. Rock-cut elephants add to the beauty of the Temple. 

This Temple has a marriage hall known as 1000 Pillar Kalyana Mandapam (Marriage Hall). Though it has only 132 pillars, it is called 1000 pillar Kalyana Mandapam! It is currently under renovation. Entry to this marriage hall is prohibited.

The tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites contains this Temple. Ancient fort ruins are there in this temple complex.

Who Destroyed the Warangal Temple?

1000 Pillar Temple was desecrated and destroyed during the rule of Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq (1320 – 1335). He was the ruler of the Delhi sultanate under the Tughlaq dynasty (1320 – 1413). His army invaded and captured the Kakatiya dynasty ruler, Prataparudra II, in 1318. Warrangal, the capital city, was renamed Sultanpur, and he ruled it until his accidental death in 1335.

Renovation and restoration work of the Thousand Pillar temple was started in 2004 by the Archeological Survey of India.

How Do I Go to Thousand Pillar Temple?

1000 Pillar Temple is located around 50 kilometers from Hyderabad city. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, on the outskirts of Hyderabad City, is the nearest airport to this magnificent temple.

Warangal railway station is around six kilometers from this temple.

There is a small entry fee to be paid before you enter the temple. The camera is also charged extra, and there are restrictions on the usage of the camera.