10 Most Famous Temples in Telangana

Temples aren't just landmarks in India, instead, they are virtually our divine neighbours.

And Temples in Telangana are some of the most spectacular ones!

With over 1,08,000 temples recognized by the government and possibly over 600,000 scattered across every street. These sacred spots aren't just places of worship, they are soothing shelters for millions of people from all over the world.

Telangana, being the youngest state in India, has a thriving network of pilgrimage sites that provide comfort throughout.

Whether you're in urban cities or peaceful countryside, there's always a temple nearby that offers not just spirituality but also a touch of divine humour. Temples truly transform every street into a religious trip.

Telangana, where religion and history come together, is home to an astonishing diversity of temples, each of which plays a distinct role in Telangana's culture. The temples reflect the state's rich cultural legacy, each with its architectural style and religious significance for faith.

So today, let us explore the,

Top 10 Most Famous Temples in Telangana

• Sri Jogulamba Ammavari Templa: Alampur
• Ramappa Temple: Mulugu
• Bhadrakali Temple: Warangal
• Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple: Kaleshwaram
• Thousand Pillar Temple: Hanamkonda
• Yadagirigutta Temple: Yadadri
• Chaya Someswara Temple: Panagal
• Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple: Komuravelli
• Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Temple: Vemulawada
• Gnana Saraswathi Temple- Basar

Now, let's dwell into the details of these most famous hindu temples in Telangana,

1. Sri Jogulamba Ammavari Templa: Alampur

Jogulamba temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Jogulamba, a form of Shakthi located in the peaceful town of Alampur in Telangana, India. Jogulamba consists of nine temples dedicated to Brahmas, the reigning deity of which is Bala Brahmeshwara. The temple walls and pillars reflect the Chalukya style of art and culture, which is extremely attractive.

In this temple, the idol of Alampur Sri Jogulamba Devi in a sitting position has a large quantity of hair with a lizard, scorpion, bat, and skull in it.

The term Jogulamba is said to be derived from the Telugu word Yogula Amma, which means Mother of Yogis. The temple complex was designed on the banks of the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers. Many visit the temple, especially during the festival of the Maha Shivratri.

In Garbhagriha we can see the idol of the Lord Siva Bala Brahmeswara Swamy present. The Shiva Linga has an uneven shape, and Panapatta is slightly slanting to the left. The temple contains wonderful sculptures. Rasasidha, who came from Kasi built the temple on Lord Shiva's orders.

2. Ramappa Temple: Mulugu

The Ramappa Temple also known as the Rudreshwara Temple is an ancient temple with its tradition and is a living example of architectural skills from the Kakatiya period. It is located in Palampet village Mulugu District, Telangana, India. Its complex and unique stone carvings are examples of the state's temple architecture.

The temple is dedicated to the Lord Shiva. According to the temple's inscription, Recharla Rudra Reddy, a general of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva built it in 1213 CE.

The temple has been constructed on a 6-foot-high star-shaped pedestal. The hallway in front of the sanctuary is adorned with carved pillars that have been positioned to produce a stunning combination of light and space.

The temple is named after Ramappa, the sculptor who built it, making it the only temple in India named after its creator.

The main structure of this temple is reddish sandstone, but the columns around the outer edges have enormous brackets made of black basalt, which is high in iron, magnesium, and silica. These are carved as legendary animals, feminine dancers, or musicians and are the masterpieces of Kakatiya art, notable for their delicate carving, luscious postures, and elongated bodies and heads/.

3. Bhadrakali Temple: Warangal

The Bhadrakali Temple is one of the oldest temples honoring Goddess Bhadrakali. It is situated on a hilltop between the cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Telangana, India. According to the writings on the temple wall, King Pulakeshin II of the Chalukya dynasty built the temple in 625 CE in honor of his victory over the Vengi region of Andhra Desham.

An architectural masterpiece of Goddess Bhadrakali's fantastic stone building can be seen inside the temple. Legend says that the temple was looted and destroyed by the infamous Allauddin Khilji and was rebuilt in the year 1950. He even took away the priceless Kohinoor Diamond. This sacred place is one of the oldest Bhadrakali temples, having thousands of believers.

4. Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple: Kaleshwaram

The Kaleshwara Mukteshwara Swamy Temple is a unique temple, located at the junction of the Godavari River and Pranahita branches. The Kaleshwaram is a town famed for its ancient Shiva temple on the Telangana-Maharashtra border in Mahadevpur Mandal, Jayashankar Bhupalapally District, Telangana State.

The sanctum sanctorum has four gates facing four directions. The unique feature of this temple is the presence of two Lingams holding onto one pedestal. Here Kaleswara is devoted primarily and then Mukteswara.

Shubhananda Devi, the divine spouse of Lord Mukteshwara, blesses the temple from a separate shrine. Other deities present are Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha. On the top of the Muktheeshwar linga, there are two openings, and whatever quantum of water is poured it does not come out of it.

5. Thousand Pillar Temple: Hanamkonda

The Thousand Pillar Temple is also known as Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in the town of Hanamakonda, Telangana State, India. At this temple, three deities are worshipped namely Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya. They are called Trikutalayam.

The temple is known for its intricately carved pillars and has been added to the tentative list of World Heritage Sites recognized by UNESCO. The temple was built during the period 1175–1324 CE by King Rudra Deva, also it stands out as a masterpiece and gained significant heights in terms of architectural talents by the ancient Kakatiya Vishwakarma Sthapathis.

Currently, the temple is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.

6. Yadagirigutta Temple: Yadadri

Yadagirigutta Temple is also known as Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple or Pancha Narasimha Kshetram and Rishi Aradhana Kshetram. The temple is dedicated to God Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, and it is situated on the hillside in the small town of Yadagirigutta in the Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of the Indian state of Telangana.

The deities of Narasimha are present in all five forms and are carved in stone in the main cave- these include Jvala Narasimha, Yogananda Narasimha, Ugra Narasimha, Gandabherunda Narasimha and Lakshmi Narasimha. The Jvala Narasimha is in the shape of a serpent while the Yogananda Narasimha appears sitting in meditation in a yoga pose.

Hanuman temple is also present to the right of the temple's main door and it is said that Gandabherunda Narasimha manifested here. It is believed that every request of a devotee visiting this temple would be fulfilled.

7. Chaya Someswara Temple: Panagal

The Chaya Someswara Temple is also known as the Saila Someshwara temple. It is a Saivait Temple located in the Panagal, Nalgonda District of Telangana State, India. The temple was built around the 11th century during the rule of the Kynduru Cholas ( branch of Telugu Chola) and later Hindu rulers in Telangana supported it to enrich its tradition.

The temple features three Garbhagriya (sanctums) and three shrine complexes. The sanctums are devoted to the Shiva, Vishnu, and Surya. The three shrines share a common hall (mandapam) with precisely carved pillars. The sculptures represent scenes from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Puranas. The temple is a popular pilgrimage destination during Maha Sivaratri.

8. Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple: Komuravelli

Komuravelli Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is also known as Komrelly Mallanna Temple located on a hill in Komuravelli village of Siddipet District in Telangana State, India. The primary Deity of this temple is Mallanna or Mallirkarjuna Swamy a form of Shiva. The Deity is also called Khandoba by the Maharashtra people.

Mallanna, together with his consorts Goddess Parvati, Goddess Ganga, Medalamma, and Golla Kethamma are found at the main temple. The Oggu Katha singers perform Mallanna's narrative here. Devotees offer prayers with the help of Oggu Pujaris who draw a rangoli inside a temple called Patnam.

A large number of worshipers attend this temple during Maha Shivaratri, when the Pedda Patnam is held, as well as the Agni Gundaalu, which is celebrated on the Sunday before Ugadi. The festive season also called Mallanna Jatara begins from Sankranti and lasts till Ugadi.

9. Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Temple: Vemulawada

Sri Rajeswara Temple is one of the most famous temples located in the town of Vemulawada of Telangana State in India. The presiding deity of the temple is Sri Raja Rajeshwara Swamy locally known as Rajanna and is adorned by the idols of Raja Rajeshwari at the right and Laxmi Sahitha Siddi Vinayaka on the left.

Throughout the temple structures, multiple shrines known as Upalayas are devoted to several deities, such as Ananta Padmanabha Swamy, Rama along with Seetha and Laxmana, Anjaneya Swamy, and many more. Each of these deities has a shrine within the temple.

This temple also has a ceremony called "Kode Mokku," in which worshipers perform the Pradakshinam of the temple with a kode (bull) which symbolizes Lord Shiva's Vahanam (Nandi).

10. Gnana Saraswathi Temple: Basar

Sri Gnana Saraswathi Temple is located on the banks of the Godavari River at Basar, Telangana, India. The temple is one of the two well-known Saraswati temples in the Indian subcontinent, the other being Sharada Peeth.

The children are brought to the temple for a learning ritual known as Akshara Abyasam before they start formal school education. The children perform letter writing and devote books, pens, pencils, and notebooks to the goddess of knowledge.

Historically, Bijialudu, a Karnataka ruler who governed the territory of Nandagiri with Nanded as his capital in the 6th century, built this temple in Basara.

In the 17th century, a ruler of Nandagiri reinstalled the temple's idols after they were destroyed by Muslim invaders. The temple also has an idol of Mahakali which is quite close to the main temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, the image of Lakshmi stands behind the Goddess Saraswati. The existence of Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Kali makes Basara the dwelling of the divine trio.

In Conclusion,

The most famous temples in Telangana are not just religious landmarks but also cultural treasures that reflect the state's rich history and traditions. From the architectural marvels of the Ramappa Temple to the divine presence at the Gnana Saraswathi Temple, these sacred sites offer a unique spiritual experience. A visit to these temples promises a journey of devotion, heritage, and divine blessings.