Ghanapuram in Warangal district of Telangana is known for being a veritable destination of Kakatiya architecture and art. The temple complex is located on the north east corner of Ghanpur village in Mulugu mandal of Jayashankar Bhupalpally district. Ghanapuram village is located nearly 50 km from the district headquarters of Warangal and is accessible by road.
There are a total of nearly 22 temples which were constructed here within a stone enclosure. The main temple i.e. Ganapeswaralayam here is dedicated to Lord Siva, which faces east. The 60 pillared natya mandapa to the southern side of the main temple is believed to be main entrance to the complex and shows the magnificent architectural style of Kakaitya rulers, who have created an indelible impact on this region in Telangana with their patronage for temples and monuments that remain strong and impregnable to this day.
There are 19 subsidiary shrines in rows all around the main temple, and there is another Siva temple, to the north of the main temple. All are built in red sand stone.
Later a mud fortification was reportedly raised all around the entire temple complex probably to protect them and hence, they are locally termed as “Kota gullu”. The inscriptions inscribed on the wall of Mukhamandapa of Ganapeswaralayam refers to the visit of Vibhutigaura, the resident of Srigiri, the house hold servant of Panditharadhya and a native of Machirajupalli near Orugallu.
The other inscription slab here refers to Ganapathi reddy, who is believed to have installed Lord Ganapeshwara and donated lands during the reign of the king Ganapathi Deva (1199-1262 A.D.) in the cyclic year of “Jaya Nama Samvatsara, Vaisakha Sudha Trayodasi, Bruhaspati Vasaram”, which corresponds to 1234-35 A.D. From the epigraphical evidences it is considered that the temple was built during the first half of 13th Century A.D.
There are a total of nearly 22 temples which were constructed here within a stone enclosure. The main temple i.e. Ganapeswaralayam here is dedicated to Lord Siva, which faces east. The 60 pillared natya mandapa to the southern side of the main temple is believed to be main entrance to the complex and shows the magnificent architectural style of Kakaitya rulers, who have created an indelible impact on this region in Telangana with their patronage for temples and monuments that remain strong and impregnable to this day.
There are 19 subsidiary shrines in rows all around the main temple, and there is another Siva temple, to the north of the main temple. All are built in red sand stone.
Later a mud fortification was reportedly raised all around the entire temple complex probably to protect them and hence, they are locally termed as “Kota gullu”. The inscriptions inscribed on the wall of Mukhamandapa of Ganapeswaralayam refers to the visit of Vibhutigaura, the resident of Srigiri, the house hold servant of Panditharadhya and a native of Machirajupalli near Orugallu.
The other inscription slab here refers to Ganapathi reddy, who is believed to have installed Lord Ganapeshwara and donated lands during the reign of the king Ganapathi Deva (1199-1262 A.D.) in the cyclic year of “Jaya Nama Samvatsara, Vaisakha Sudha Trayodasi, Bruhaspati Vasaram”, which corresponds to 1234-35 A.D. From the epigraphical evidences it is considered that the temple was built during the first half of 13th Century A.D.
http://tsdamblog.com/ganapeshwara-group-of-temples-kotagullu/
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