Thousand Pillar Temple Warangal: What to See Before You Visit

The Thousand Pillar Temple is one of those places in Warangal that you can visit many times and still notice a new detail. It is in Hanamkonda, so it is also an easy stop if you are already exploring the city.

The temple was built in 1163 AD during the reign of Kakatiya ruler Rudra Deva, according to Telangana Tourism. The complex is associated with Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.

Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal

Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. See the original file page for attribution.

Why is it called Thousand Pillar Temple?

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The name comes from the many pillars and the temple’s famous stone architecture. You don’t need to count the pillars to appreciate it. The more interesting part is the craftsmanship and how the different elements fit together.

Don’t miss the Nandi

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The large monolithic Nandi is one of the first things visitors notice. It is worth taking a closer look at the carving rather than just taking a quick photograph.

Look up at the carvings

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A lot of the visual interest is in the smaller details. If you are taking photos, use a few minutes for close-up shots of the stone work as well as the full building.

How long should you spend here?

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Around an hour is enough for a quick visit. If you enjoy architecture, history or photography, give yourself more time.

What can you visit nearby?

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You can combine the temple with Bhadrakali Temple, Bhadrakali Lake and Warangal Fort. This makes much more sense than travelling back and forth across the city.

One practical tip

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Wear comfortable footwear and avoid making the whole visit a rushed photo session. The best part of this temple is the detail.

Check official Telangana Tourism information before your visit for current arrangements and timings.