Veyi Shambhala Gudi, hanamakonda

Rudreshwara Temple, also known as the Thousand Pillars Temple, is located in the heart of the city of Hanumakonda, at a distance of about 5 km from Warangal. The original name of the temple was Rudreshwara Temple. The temple has an unexpectedly separate wedding hall. There are a thousand pillars on that porch. Hence the name of the original temple, the Temple of a Thousand Pillars, is apt. An inscription here tells us that the Rudreshwara Temple was established on 19th January 1163 AD by Rudradeva Maharaja, the son of Prolaraju and Muppamadevi. The Thousand Pillars Temple is the crown jewel of the Kakatiya influence. The temple was built by Lord Rudra between 1138-1145 AD and has a unique architectural style. The Nandi idol carved in black stone in the temple premises is as alive as a real bull king. The historic Sri Rudreshwaraswamy Temple in Hanumakonda and the Thousand Pillars Temple reflects the artistry of the Kakatiyas. Stands as a showcase for their culture and traditions. It is a daily destination for hundreds of devotees and visitors. There is a beautiful arched sculpture on the entrance of the Rudreshwara Temple. Along with this, it attracts with dancing sculptures, stage pavilion pillars, the interior roof, temple stone walls, sanctum sanctorum, and magnificent sculptures. In front of the Trikuta Temple, the Nandi idol is the crown jewel. The pedestal of the temple also looks like a smooth black stone carving, a circular mirror between the star-shaped trinity temples.

The sunlight that falls on it gives light to the sanctum sanctorum. Ancestors say that the Kakatiya kings used to go to Sri Bhadrakali Temple, Qilla Warangal, and Ramappa Temple through a tunnel dug from here. The inauguration of the Thousand Pillars Temple is a historical story. These were the days when the Kakatiyas ruled the Telugu soil. During the reign of Prolayaraja Dharma, a son was born to him. The news of his father's death was learned by the astrologers and he was placed with a Brahmin, who later died at the hands of his son, as the astrologers had told him. Thus the father built these temples for peace of mind, blaming himself for the cause of his father's death. Not only that, but he also built many more in all corners of his kingdom and landed in front of some misery. He practiced many good deeds. He made many donations of cows and land. Adored the art of sculpture. Patronized the poets. Rudreshwara is the lingam in the form of a lingam on the star-shaped pedestal of the temple, which is in the Kakatiya style of sculpture. The main temple faces east and amazes the onlookers with its magnificent architecture.

The idol of Nandeeshwar, which faces north to the front mandapa of the temple, is carved out of black stone and stands firmly between the Kalyana mandapa and the main temples. The entire temple is built on a foundation about four feet high. The foundation is 31 meters long and 25 meters wide and is built in the shape of a very wide Sri Chakra. The architectural style of this temple is also unique. As you enter the temple courtyard through the north courtyard gate, you can see the ancient convent on the north-eastern side after seeing the view of the flowers falling on the lingams, emitting fragrances like a palm tree blossoming on the unpolished lingams.

The main temple has a star-shaped pavilion dedicated to Lord Rudreshwar, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya facing east, south, and west respectively. In the center of the temple is a spacious platform-like space, with three sanctum Sanctorum at the three ends of the platform. On the fourth side, on the south side, there is a porch-like mandapam leading to the Kalyana mandapam. On the west side of the sanctum sanctorum on three sides of the central platform is a Shivalinga idol, on the north side there is a statue of Vishnu named Vasu Deva, and on the east side, there are idols of the sun god. It does not currently have an idol of the sun god. It is not uncommon to build separate sanctum Sanctorum for three deities on the same platform. This type of structure is called a trinity. This means that there are three alliances. The Rudreshwara Linga idol in the sanctum sanctorum seems to be glowing with a radiance of 1.22 meters in height. The bonds through the three wombs are outstanding. It is usually fastened to the wall next to the door by any means. But here the bonding door is one step ahead of the wall. That is, the door is attached to one another without sticking to the wall. About 16 feet high and 12 feet wide, the doorway is made of a single slab of stone. The craftsmanship of such a large slab of stone stands against the wall is amazing. Mahashivaratri, Karthika Full Moon and Ganesha Navratri are the busiest days for devotees. Rudreshwar is visited by a large number of devotees on the days of Mahashivaratri and Karthika Full Moon. Devotees visit Alarare Rudreshwara Swami with devotional zeal with mahanyasa Purva Rudrabhishekams, Bilva Archana's, Shatasahasra lamps and special decorations made with Anna Rasi.