Kakatiya Trikutalayam, Mutharam – The Forgotten 500 Pillar Temple of Telangana

Hidden in the quiet village of Mutharam, near Bheemadevarpally in Hanamkonda district, stands a magnificent yet forgotten relic of Telangana’s glorious past — the Kakatiya Trikutalayam, popularly known as the 500 Pillar Temple.

Built during the 12th–13th century by the Kakatiya dynasty, this temple beautifully represents the architectural brilliance of an era that combined devotion, design, and engineering in perfect harmony.

Kakatiya Trikutalayam Mutharam Hanamkonda


The TTT Model – Tank, Temple, and Town


Like many Kakatiya structures, the Mutharam temple was also built following the famous TTT model (Tank–Temple–Town).

In this concept, the rulers first built a tank (cheruvu) to meet the needs of the people and the temple’s rituals. The temple was then constructed nearby, serving as the spiritual heart of the settlement, and eventually, a town grew around it.

This shows the Kakatiyas’ deep understanding of sustainability — where water, worship, and welfare existed together in perfect balance.


Architecture that Reflects the Kakatiya Grandeur

Kakatiya Shiva Linga at Trikutalayam Mutharam


The temple stands on an elevated star-shaped platform, known as a jagati, and follows the Trikutalayam layout — meaning a temple with three sanctums.

A spacious common hall connects the three garbhagrihas (sanctums):

Two are dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Mahamrityunjaya and Suryeshwara.

The third, now closed, enshrines a beautifully carved Vishnu idol nearly 7 feet tall.

The Vishnu image is flanked by Brahma and Garuda at the feet, while two graceful attendants stand on either side. Vishnu holds a shankha (conch), chakra (discus), and gada (mace) in his four hands — an artistic hallmark of Kakatiya iconography.

Each of the temple’s 500 pillars is uniquely carved, carrying floral, geometric, and mythological patterns — a silent testimony to the craftsmanship of the Kakatiya sculptors.


 Historical Echoes


According to local sources and the Namasthe Telangana newspaper (2021), the temple belongs to the Kakatiya period, roughly contemporary to the Thousand Pillar Temple in Warangal.

It is believed to have been constructed as a miniature version of that grand temple — sharing its design principles but on a smaller scale.

Similar architectural traces can be seen in other Trikutalayam temples at Nidigonda and Kondaparthy, though most of them now lie in ruins.

Here’s our Orugallu Andhalu video on Mutharam Trikutalayam – the temple built under Kakatiya sovereignty:

 Cultural and Spiritual Significance


The Kakatiya Trikutalayam isn’t just a stone structure — it was once a vibrant spiritual hub.

Festivals like Maha Shivaratri were celebrated grandly, drawing devotees from surrounding villages.

The alignment of the shrines, the balance of Shaivite and Vaishnavite deities, and the use of light and water in the layout all reflect the inclusive spiritual vision of the Kakatiyas.


Present Condition and Heritage Value

Beautiful carving of Kakatiya Trikutalayam Mutharam



Today, the temple stands in partial ruins, but the grandeur of its surviving portions still amazes visitors.

Archaeologists and local historians emphasize the need for restoration, as this temple has immense potential to be developed into a heritage tourism site under the Telangana government’s initiatives.

Every pillar, sculpture, and stone here carries a story — a reminder of how the Kakatiya dynasty turned devotion into enduring art.


 How to Reach


Location: Mutharam village, Bheemadevarpally Mandal, Hanamkonda District, Telangana

Nearest City: Warangal (around 25 km)

Best Time to Visit: October to March (pleasant weather, temple surroundings green after rains)


 Conclusion


The Kakatiya Trikutalayam of Mutharam is not just a forgotten temple — it’s a chapter of Telangana’s living history.

Every inch of its structure reflects the engineering excellence and artistic soul of the Kakatiyas.

Preserving such sites is not only about saving stones, but about protecting the legacy of a civilization that saw divinity in design and spirituality in structure.

#KakatiyaTrikutalayam #MutharamTemple #TelanganaHeritage #KakatiyaArchitecture #OrugalluAndhalu #500PillarTemple #WarangalTemples #TTTModel

Location: Warangal, Telangana, India

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