Temples of Telangana through the Ages

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About the Book Temples of Telangana through the Ages is an exploration of temples in Telangana and their rich architectural history from 1st to 18th centuries. It spans the successive dynasties of the Telangana from the Satavahanas, Vishnukundins, early Chalukyas, Rastrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and their subordinates, such as Recharla Padmanayakas, Vijayanagaras to the Samsthanas. All of them erected magnificent and astonishing structures. This book encapsules only some of the outstanding temples of Telangana. It also combines artistic appreciation of the glories of Telangana.

As the book provides insights into the historical background and various forms of temples, it will be of interest to those fascinated by Telangana temple architecture and art, and those engaged in studying or researching them.

About the Author Sivanagireddy Emani is an archaeologist and Sthapati. He received a Master of Arts degree from AIHC&A from Osmania University and obtained his Ph.D. in 1994 from Hyderabad Central University. Transplanted more than 45 temples submerged under the reservoir of Srisailam hydroelectric project.

Among his many published books as co-editor are: Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture, Temple Architecture of India, Texts and Tradi- tions: Temple Construction during the Vijay- anagara period by Bharatiya Kala Prakashan, Delhi. Currently he is working as CEO, Pleach India Foundation, Hyderabad.

Foreword Temples are the most important constructions to learn the history, culture, economy of a region. Temples work as educational institutions, spiritual, community gathering spaces, trade and banking centres and a source of various economic activities for the local population. Temples with their magnificent architecture and craftsmanship, still standing on the surface, attract various generations to know the cultural identity of the diverse regions in the Indian subcontinent. In India, each region has its own architectural features of temples constructed during different kingdoms.

Preface A meandering Journey!

The State of Telangana is repository of rich heritage both tangible and intangible. The tangible heritage of the state is represented by a good number of archaeological sites and historical monuments. Among the historical monuments, forts and fortifications, temples - Buddhist, Jain and Brahmanical- occupy prominent place.

The evolution of the temples of Telangana began with brick-built temples during Satavahana, Ikshvaku and Vishnukundin dynasties (1st century to 6th century CE) which gave way to emergence of structural stone temples built during the 7th-8th centuries CE by the Chalukyas of Badami at Alampur with garbhagriha, arthamandapa and gudha (maha) mandapa in Sandhara (closed Pradakhinapatha) made in their typical Rekhanagara style as seen at the Navabrahmesvara temples and the Kudali Sangameswara temple embellished with sculptures. The Chalukyas set a new trend in temple building activity with innovations both in art and architecture.

The temples built by the Rashtrakutas in the 9th century CE, the successors of the Chalukyas of Badami, adopted a new style in which the Dravidian element, i.e, the admixture of the Pallava and Chalukyan features are noticed at Alampur, Gudem and Malleswaram temples. It was the Rashtrakutas, who introduced the rock-cut temple architecture in Telangana, of which, temples at Sabbitam and Adavi Somanapalli serve as examples. The Chalukyas of Vemulawada, the subordinates of the Rashtrakutas followed the norms of their masters as seen at Vemulawada group of temples (9th-10th centuries CE).

Acknowledgements I feel privileged to express my sincere and profound thanks to Smt. Shailaja Ramaiyer IAS, Principal Secretary, YAT & C Department, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Secretariat, Government of Telangana, for her generous support and encouragement. Smt. Bharati Hollikeri IAS, Director, Department of Heritage Telangana, and Editor of this book, for her meticulous guidance in finalising the content of "Temples of Telangana through the Ages", Smt. N.R. Vichalatchy IPOS, former Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Telangana, who initiated the process of this publication. Dr. P. Nagaraju, Dr. D. Ramlu Naik, B. Narayana, Deputy Directors; Smt. V.. Nagalaxmi, Assistant Director, Sri C. Saikiran, PA to Director, and Dr. K. Padmanabha, former Deputy Director, Department of Heritage Telangana, for their help at various stages from drafting the content to preparing the book for print.