Travel Guide
Ghanpur Temples are situated in Ghanpur Mandal headquarters of Warangal district. They are locally known as 'Kota Gullu'.
By Road
Ghanpur is around 82Km from Warangal. Tourists coming from Warangal direction has to take the NH 202 road towards Mulugu. Take a diversion towards left after travelling 5Km from Mulugu. Ghanpur is another 12Kms from there. The famous Ramappa temple @ Palampet is on the way in this route.
Ghanpur is around 110Km from Karimnagar. It can be reached via Huzurabad/Parkal bypassing Warangal. Tourists have to take the Karimnagar-Warangal state Highway till Huzurabad(40Km from Karimnagar) and take left towards Parkal(40Km from Huzurabad). Follow the Bhoopalapally-Parkal road till Gandhinagar village(20Km from Parkal) and take a right. Ghanpur is another 9Km from there.
By Rail
Nearest railway station is Kazipet/Warangal. This is a major railway junction. All important trains have a stop here.
Profile
The Ghanpur group of temples, comprising of 22 temples constructed within a double walled stone enclosure contain a veritable museum of Kakatiya art and architecture. Among the group of temples, the main temple, which is dedicated to Lord Siva is most attractive. The main attraction is of the Sabhamandapa porches. Two madanikas or salabhanjikas, which are on northern side portico, are much more attractive and blithe in their appearance, compared to the famous Palampet(Ramappa Temple) bracket figures.
Apart from these, mythical figure brackets such as Gaja-Kesari, Half human-Lion form riding on elephant, Horse-head Lion back on elephant are also arranged under the eves in eastern and southern side porticos. To the north from main temple, there is another temple dedicated to Siva which is exact replica of the main temple. To the south of the main temple, there is a pillared mandap whose central ceiling is decorated with different kinds Patma motives. More over nineteen subsidiary shrines consisting of garbhagriha and antarala are placed around the temple.
There is no information about the builder of these great temples except three inscriptions which only talk about visit of Vibhuttigaru, a house hold servant of Panditharadhya. But on stylistic grounds and comparing architectural features of famous Ramappa temple at Palampet village, it can be presumed that these temples were most probably constructed during the time of King Ganapatideva in early 13 the Century A.D. These magnificent group of temples are located amidst tall and lofty palmyra trees and this luxuriant vegetation serves as a beautiful backdrop making visit to these temples a visual feast and a memorable one.
Ghanpur also consists a beautiful lake constructed by Kakatiyas, which is worth a visit.
Route Map
