1000 pillar shrine work resumes in Hanamkonda

WARANGAL: The restoration works at the 854-year-old Thousand Pillar Temple in Hanamkonda have resumed on Saturday after a gap of several months. The temple’s Kalyana mandapam was dismantled for reconstruction in 2005, and the work is going on ever since. The works are on at snail’s pace for over a decade due largely to the delay in the release of funds, negligence on the part of the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI), workers and sculptors going away for other works, the steady increase in the cost of reconstruction work. Currently, 80 per cent of the works are over.

The whole structure has been brought together on a raised platform. Only the roof needs to be put together. Officials of the ASI and Intach brought the sculptor, Stapathi Shiva Kumar back on the job. “The works would go on uninterrupted and at a fast pace from now on. We have received enough funds for completion of the works. We will ensure the kalyana mandapam is ready for tourists within six months’ time,” said Intach convenor Prof. M. Panduranga Rao.

The temple is undeniably one of the finest specimens of the Kakatiya architecture and sculpture. It was constructed in 1163AD by King Rudra Deva and it took 72 years for completion. Reconstr-ucting the structure to match the marvel of the Kakatiyan sculptures is not an easy task. As many as 2,560 sculptures were used for the mandapa which stands at a height of 9.5meters. The foundations go as deep as 6metres in sand.

The 1000-pillar temple has been one of the most sought after tourist locations in the district. Thousands of tourists from across the country and abroad visit the temple every day. Once the mandapa is reconstructed, this historic temple would regain its previous charm.