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Warangal and the thousand pillared temple are so inextricably
intertwined that one indispensably brings to mind the other in its entirety.
They bear no separation. Theists are quite familiar
of this fact, and whenever one is mentioned, the other leaps out of their lips.
The thousand pillared temple is an' invaluable gift of the illustrious Kakatiya
dynasty to ,the nation. It is one of the nine monumental monuments of Warangal
district. Built in the shape of Star-Nakshatra, this temple is dedicated to
triple deities - Siva, Vishnu and Surya and so called Trikutalayam. Its
conception and construction are gigantic and unique. And it is a typical
Chalukyan model built by the celebrated Kakatiya Rudra Deva in 1184 A.D. It was
called Rudreswaraalayam, for, the chief reason that the builder wanted to
perpetuate his glory through this sculptural marvel. The sculptors ace
craftsmanship breaks through every frame of construction. And as the
construction took place during the transition period of Jainism to Hinduism,
there are many features bearing resemblance to Jainism. The sculptural pieces
adorning the huge pillars are undoubtedly of Jain tradition and partake their
conventional patterns. Among the three, only Sivaalayam is receiving worship
now. The temples of Vishnu and Surya can be identified with the figures and
designs chiselled on the lintels.
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