Ancient entrance of Inavolu Mallikarjuna Swamy temple found in village

Inavolu (Warangal Urban): The fourth Kakatiya Keerthi Thoranam (giant entrance gate) of the Inavolu Mallikarjuna Swamy temple was discovered lying on the ground near a hillock in Inavolu village by locals.

The fully carved pillars belong to the 12th century when the temple was built. The thoranam was not assembled and put up near the temple for some reason and has been lying around unnoticed for 900 years. Some of the carvings are buried underground.

The spot is less than a km from the temple. Temple authorities were notified about the discovery. They visited the location and confirmed that they were pieces of the Keerthi Thoranam.

“These rock pillars were ready to be installed but for some reason, they were not brought to the temple and remained there for so long,” said temple priest Madhu Sharma.

“At present, the temple has only two pillars on the east and south entrances. On the North side, the keerthi thoranam was not installed but the rock pillars were put there. They have remained there since long. We have written to the archaeology department to grant us permission so that we can take the discovered rock pillars to the temple,” he said.

S. Sagar, assistant director of the archaeology department visited the site where the pillars were found and inspected the area. He said a report will be sent to Hyderabad regarding this discovery.

The Inavolu temple was built by a minister, Ayyanna Deva, of Kakatiya Kingdom during the 12th century. The Kakatiya Keerti Toranams stood as the symbol of the historic Kakatiyan rule. Each and every carving on these pillars reflected the way in which the Kakatiya rule was carried out.

The Keerthi Thoranam seen today at Padmakshi temple in Hanamkonda was the oldest known thoranam built by Kakatiyas. Later, these thoranams were initially constructed here at Inavolu and subsequently at Warangal fort.