Inavolu Mallanna temple to get facelift
The Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Inavolu village, Wardhannapet mandal, which is 16 kilometres away from Warangal, has two thoranams. But in a recent discovery, the remnants of the third thoranam in the northern side of the temple was found by the Telangana State Archaeology Department and now it is being re-erected.
By: T P Venu
Wardhannapet: The Mallikarjuna Swamy temple in Inavolu village, Wardhannapet mandal, which is 16 kilometres away from Warangal, has two thoranams. But in a recent discovery, the remnants of the third thoranam in the northern side of the temple was found by the Telangana State Archaeology Department and now it is being re-erected.
Locals say they saw a few pieces of the thoranam scattered in the area but during works, solid slabs of the thoranam were found, resulting in excitement among people. It is believed that the thoranam must have fallen while the construction of the temple was going on during early Kakatiya period.
Former Deputy Director of Telangana State Archaeology Department Rangachary said, “The temple is unique in many ways. It is built in Kandara style with inner pradakshina patha meaning, there is a roof above the lord and also for the devotees. Other temples such as the 1000-pillar and Ramappa temples do not have a roof.”
Inavolu in Sanskrit is Aryapura, meaning ‘village of holy priests’ and there are villages with similar names even in Karnataka, says Rangachary. The Lord Mallikarjuna temple, also called as Mallanna temple is famous and the temple festival is celebrated on Sundays and Wednesdays from Sankranti and Ugadi.
Lord Mallikarjuna or Mallanna is worshipped here as Mylarudeva along with his consorts Balija Medalaa and Golla Kotamma. The Telangana State Archaeology Department has started work in reerecting the thoranam at a cost of Rs 46 lakh. Department officials said that people even in the late eighties reported about pieces of thoranam found in the vicinity of the temple but only recently when extensive works began did the Archaeology Department officials found huge pieces. Archeology Department Director N R Visalatchi said, “Work is going on at good speed. The thoranam should be ready in next few months.”
Three broken pillars and a full-sized pillar was found but a few pieces are missing. The department is planning to get the same granite material. Officials say that the thoranam should be up and ready by March.
