17°57′23″N79°36′58″E / 17.956286°N 79.616053°E /17.956286; 79.616053
| Kakatiya Kala Thoranam | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Interactive map of Kakatiya Kala Thoranam | |
| General information | |
| Type | Arch |
| Location | Warangal,Telangana, India |
| Completed | c. 1200 CE |
Kakatiya Kala Thoranam (also calledWarangal Gate) is a historicalarch in theWarangal district, of the Indian state ofTelangana. TheWarangal Fort has four ornamental gates which originally formed the gates to the ruins of the great Shiva temple which are known as Kakatiya Kala Thoranam or Warangal Gates. The architectural feature of these historical arches of the Warangal Fort has been adopted as the symbol of theKakatiya Dynasty and has been officially incorporated as theEmblem of Telangana for the state of Telangana.[1]
The arch was built around 12th century during the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty.[2] The Monument was included in the "tentative list" ofUNESCOWorld Heritage Site. The Monument was submitted by the Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO on 10/09/2010.[3][4]
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The Kakatiya Kala Thoranam, or arch, is an extensive ornamented stone sculpture; reflective of four identical gates in the Warangal Fort, which was part of the great Swayambhusiva temple ofShiva in the fort built byGanapati-deva (1199-1262) during the 12th century.[5] His daughterRudrama Devi andPratap Rudra II of the Kakatiya Dynasty added more fortifications to the fort which was laid in three concentric circles.[6] The four gateways (char kaman) were part of the temple which was destroyed by theMuslim invaderJauna Khan during the1323 invasion, as a part of their policy followed after their victories over territories, to desecrateHindu temples.[6] The great temple of which the gates were integral is said to be comparable to the size and splendor of theRudra Mahalaya Temple atSiddhpur inGujarat.[7]
A depiction of the arch forms the main symbol in theEmblem of Telangana for the state of Telangana.[8][9] This logo or emblem, inEnglish,Telugu andUrdu is portrayed with a combination of green and gold, representing "Bangaru Telangana" (meaning: "Golden Telangana"). Also inscribed on the logo are the names of theGovernment of Telangana in English, and as "Telangana Prabhutvam" in Telugu and as "Telangana Sarkar" in Urdu. At the base of the logo there is an inscription in Sanskrit which says "Satyameva Jayate" (meaning: Truth shall triumph).[1]
The central part of the fort, identified as the archaeological zone, contains the ruins of the great Swayambhusiva temple, now seen with only the free-standing "Entrance Portals", or gates on the four sides, all being similar in design. Each gate has twin pillars withangled brackets over which lies the hugelintel; the height of this gate being 10 metres (33 ft). The gates have extensive intricate carvings of "lotus buds, looped garlands, mythical animals, and birds with foliated tails". They do not depict any religious symbols, said to be the reason for its preserved condition for not being destroyed by Muslim invaders.[7][10] The gates at the northern and southern ends are 480 feet (150 m) apart. The eastern and western gates are at a distance of 433 feet (132 m) apart.[7]
A replica of the gateway has been installed atNarsingi.[11]
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