Thread by @rasu667

Warangal - Ruins of Swayambhu Shivalayam

#WalkToTemple
#IndianHeritage

When I had planned a trip to Warangal, searching for places to see, I saw that Warangal fort is an important sightseeing place. So I was waiting to see a ruined fort. But when I went to the place called +

+Warangal fort, I realised that it was that section of the fort where previously a Swayambhu Shivalayam existed and now had relics which were excavated. On 4 sides v can see the famous Kakatiya thoranams, one of which v can c in above pic. Smaller thoranams r also there.

Now coming to the relics which fill us with pride for its sculpture and sorrow for the destruction.

Enlarge each pic if possible.

In the 1st pic, the top panel is relatively ok, while the rest u can c.

The hatred towards our sculpture and murtis is very visible.

Animals too were not spared. Be it an ashva, gaja or Simha. Legs and heads were broken.

Glory and destruction side by side.

Some more relics

This Kirtimukha is huge giving us the scale at which the aalayam may have been. It is glorious.

Some sculpture which was intact and fantastic.

Going through these relics makes us wonder how majestic the temple may have been when it was intact.

These 2 statues look like they have been brought from some other place, bcs the stone is different.

One more big Kirtimukha.
Dancing ladies are a huge part of the sculpture of Kakatiya architecture. Looks like the Kakatiyas were great patrons of music and dance.

Beautiful Mandapam with destroyed pillars.

In such a scenario every little undamaged sculpture gives us such joy.

Again, dance and music portrayed.

Such beauty

This partly broken elephant was used by children as a showpiece in a park & they were climbing it for pics. I couldn't keep quiet so told the teacher who came with them to not allow them to climb on top but to take pics beside it & not to spoil our heritage.

I think they are Dwarapalas and they are laid on the ground.
Some people are walking over them. Can't the ASI atleast keep them standing somewhere, so that the people can enjoy them and not defile them?

A beautiful latticed window and some more sculpture.

This place filled me with immense sadness.
🙏 To all the great sculptors of the Kakatiya period.