Telangana360

Thousand Pillar Temple Trikutalayam – The Masterpiece of Kakatiya Architecture (1163 CE) Trikuta (Three Shrines) | Star‑Shaped Platform | 100+ Lathe‑Turned Pillars | Sandbox Foundation The Thousand Pillar Temple (also known as Sahasra Stambha Mandapa or Trikutalayam ) in Hanamakonda (Warangal district), Telangana, is one of the finest examples of Kakatiya architecture . Built in 1163 CE by the Kakatiya king Rudra Deva (Rudradeva I) – and later completed or renovated by his successor Ganapati Deva – the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu, and Surya , enshrined in three separate sanctums under a single roof (hence Trikutalayam ). The temple rests on a star‑shaped (stellate) platform , a hallmark of Kakatiya temples, and is famed for its elaborately carved monolithic pillars (over 100, though not exactly 1000 – the name refers to the profusion of pillars in the mandapa). A massive Nandi (bull) monolith stands outside, car...

Dhulikatta (Pedda Bankur) A Satavahana Capital with Stupas, Viharas & Fortifications – One of Megasthenes’ 30 Walled Cities 2nd Century BCE – 2nd Century CE | Mud Fort | Mahastupa with 47 Limestone Slabs | Roman & Satavahana Coins Dhulikatta (also known as Pedda Bankur) is a village in Eligaid mandal, Peddapalli district, Telangana, about 25 km from Karimnagar city. The name Dhulikatta derives from Dhulikota – "a fort made of mud". The site is one of the thirty walled cities mentioned by the Greek ambassador Megasthenes (c. 300 BCE) in his Indica . Excavations by the Archaeology Department (1975 onwards) uncovered a large Buddhist monastic complex dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE – a major urban centre of the Satavahana period . The remains include a Mahastupa constructed with 47 carved limestone slabs, a vihara (monastic residence), a chaitya hall , a mud fortification wall ,...

Kotilingala Stupa Satavahana-Era Mound, Fort & Buddhist Stupa on the Godavari Satavahana Capital? | 3rd c. BCE – 2nd c. CE | Coins of Simuka | Mud Fort & Stupa Remains Kotilingala is a village in Jagtial district, Telangana, located on the southern bank of the Godavari River , about 18 km from Jagtial town. The site is an extensive archaeological mound covering over 100 acres, containing the remains of a mud fortification , a large Buddhist stupa , and early historic habitations . It is best known for the discovery of a hoard of Satavahana coins , including coins of Simuka (the founder of the Satavahana dynasty), leading many scholars to identify Kotilingala as the earliest capital of the Satavahanas (ancient name possibly Simhapura or Sriparvata ?). The stupa, built of brick, dates to the 3rd–2nd century BCE (late Mauryan / early Satavahana period) and was part of a larger Buddhist complex that included viharas and a c...