Ancient Kakatiya Temple in ruins at Lal Gadi Malakpet: Experts urge restoration to preserve hidden heritage gem

This temple features a Mukhamantapam, Rangamantapam, Antaralam, and Garbhagudi, but lacks a vimana above it. The Mantapam and Antaralam are adorned with Bhuvana sculptures, while Shaivadvarapalakas are positioned on both sides of the entrance. Behind the Garbhagudi, there is a broken 'pranali.' Based on the layout and the Shaivadvarapalakas, which were designed to drain the water used for Shivalinga abhishekam, this temple is identified as a Shiva temple.

Hyderabad: The members of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, who recently visited the dilapidated Kakatiya Temple at Lal Gadi Malakpet, Genome Valley, Turkapally, Medchal district, said that the age-old temple structure has to be saved and restored back to its glory.

A three-member team from Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam including Sriramoju Haragopal, Mohammed Nasiruddin and Mohammed Imran, who recently visited the temple, said that it was built entirely in the early Kakatiya style.

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This temple has a Mukhamantapam, Rangamantapam, Antaralam and Garbhagudi. There is no vimana above the temple. There are Bhuvana sculptures in the Mantapam and Antaralam. There are Shaivadvarapalakas on both sides of the entrance. There is a broken ‘pranali’ behind the Garbhagudi. Based on this planar and Shaivadvarapalakas, which were placed to drain the water of Shivalinga abhishekam, this temple can be said to be a Shiva temple.

The Mukhamantapam is built with 24 pillars and the Rangamantapam is built with 16 pillars in the kakshyasanas. There are pillars on the doors and sculptures of Gajalakshmi as the front image. The sanctum sanctorum has been completely excavated. The Shivalinga and the Panavattas that should have been there are not there. Only the Bhuvana sculpture has been exposed.

Although in dilapidated condition, the restoration of the temple can be taken-up easily. There is a possibility of bringing the temple back to its former glory with small and minor changes. The Shivalinga, Panavattas and Nandi sculptures can be assembled in the temple, the sanctum sanctorum can be covered, and the Bhuvana sculpture can be placed in the same way and constructed.