Devunigutta Ardhanarishvara Shiva Temple, Telangana

Address

Devunigutta Ardhanarishvara Shiva Temple, Kothur village, Mulugu District, Telangana 506352

Diety

Ardhanarishvara Amman: Parvati

Introduction

The Devunigutta Temple or Shiva Temple, Kothur is a temple near Kothur village in the Mulugu District, Telangana, India, some 60 km east of Warangal It is thought the temple was built about the 6th century CE under the Vakataka dynasty. It is in a “remote forested plateau, and under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The sculptures prominently include Shiva in the form of Ardhanarishvara. The temple now consists of a square sanctuary with a shikhara or vimana tower, with the sanctuary open to the interior of the tower, and a low wall enclosing an entrance court. Previously abandoned, and with no main murti for worship, after the 2012 reports an image of Narashima was installed, and the temple is in informal worship Inside there is now a modern plinth holding an image of Narashima, but no sign of a lingam, nor of a drainage channel for offerings. Local people say a lingam was stolen some time ago, who appears prominently in the composite form of Ardhanarishvara, divided between his male form and the female one of Parvati, his consort. And the temple is completely ruins and state of disappearing.