Kotagullu

Kotagullu or Ganapuram gullu are in the village Ghanpur (previously Ganapuram after Kakatiya king Ganapathi Deva) in Mulug mandal of Telangana.  This is 74 KM from Warangal.  Ramappa and Laknavaram are within 10Km from here.

  Kakatiya Kings have followed the principle of Tank, Town, and Temple in developing their kingdom.  That is why we see many historical temples constructed during their reign has temple associated with a tank nearby in many villages.  Ganapuram temples are a group of 22 temples built within an area of 260X260 Sq.ft of a mud fort.  That is how the name Kota (fort) gullu (temples).   Main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.  Temples are three in the east, eight on the west side, thirteen towards south and in the north there are four temples.  We can see only few of them rest in ruins and we have to presume possible temples.  The temple architecture and the sculptures seen here are similar to those at Ramappa. 

Ganapasamudram is a huge tank in this village and waters 4000 acres of agricultural land.  This temple, town and tank are constructed during the rule of Ganapathi Deva and in the name of Ganapamba, daughter of Ganapathi Deva.

Muslim King Kuli Qutub Ul Mulk (1487-1543) vandalized and destroyed architectural splendor of the temple.  Another King of Orugallu, Sitapathi, bestowed with the title of Shitabu Khan, to prevent any further destruction of sculptures had buried most in the ground during the years 1504-1512.  Four hundred years later Gulam Yagnyani, director of Archaeology in Nizam’s rule brought these temples into light. In the recent past the Government of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh has taken up archaeological excavations and development of this temple. 

After the formation of Telangana, the Telangana government is pumping in more funds and to make it into one of the historically important tourist spot. 

Locally staying people also are taking interest in developing the temple and temple rituals are being held on grand scale on festival days

  Ganapasamudram is a huge tank in this village and waters 4000 acres of agricultural land.  This temple, town and tank are constructed during the reign of Ganapathi Deva and in the name of Ganapamba, daughter of Ganapathi Deva.

Muslim King Kuli Qutub Ul Mulk (1487-1543) vandalized and destroyed architectural splendor of the temple.  Another King of Orugallu, Sitapathi, bestowed with the title of Shitabu Khan, to prevent any further destruction of sculptures had buried most in the ground during the years 1504-1512.  Four hundred years later Gulam Yagnyani, director of Archaeology in Nizam’s rule brought these temples into light. In the recent past the Government of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh has taken up archaeological excavations and development of this temple.  After the formation of Telangana, the Telangana government is pumping in more funds and to make it into one of the historically important tourist spot.  Locally staying people also are taking interest in developing the temple and temple rituals are being held on grand scale on festival days.

Though the government wants it to be developed into attractive tourist spot the developmental works seem to be at snail pace.  Hotel Harita Kakatiya near the spot is beautiful, but closed.  There is no guide and very few tourists are seen when I visited the place.  It is better to carry water and snacks as there are no hotels nearby.  There is no rest room facility; the one in Hotel Harita is locked. 

The sculptures of Lord Shiva and others are put on small pedestal in the foreground of Hotel Harita Kakatiya are awesome.  Tourists from Hyderabad can come by train or car or TSRTC bus to Kazipet / Warangal.  From Kazipet Railway station, this place can be reached by bus, or car.  A planned visit in this route can make one visit Pandavula guttalu, Laknavaram cheruvu, Ganapuram gullu and finally the spectacular Ramappa at Palampet.   Most of the road track is well laid and journey through forest from Mulug onwards will be a memorable one.  

Information source: 1. Warangal zilla vignyna sarvaswamu (Telugu 2009)
                                 2. Kotagullu - article in Vaarta (Telugu daily news paper)
                                     14th special anniversary issue - March 2010.