File:12th century Kota Gudi complex, Ghanpur Mulugu, Telangana India - 65.jpg

English: Also known as Kota Gullu, Ganapeshwaralayam or Ghanpur group of temples by Ganapati Deva, they are found to the north of the small remote village of Ghanpur. The Kota Gullu complex is about 60 kilometers northeast from Warangal (NH 353), 7 kilometers east of Karkapalle, and 10 kilometers northwest of Palampet.

• They are credited to the Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva (c. 1200 CE). The complex was likely expanded and complete by the time the king made a major gift and granted tax exemptions to this temple in early 13th-century per epigraphical evidence.
• The temples complex consists of a large main temple surrounded by 22 parivara alayam (subsidiary shrines). Many of these only survive in ruined parts lying around, thrown out of order on the ground from a deliberate act of destruction and desecration. Portions of the temples that still stand show extensive signs of mutilation.

Architectural features

• The temples were built with a square and circle principle of Hindu architecture. The complex of 23 temples were surrounded by a 260 feet x 260 feet prakara rampart, most of which is in ruins.
• The main temple in the center is 124.5 feet square, and if stone steps are included, its length is 136 feet.
• It had an intricately carved asthana mandapa that also functioned as the dvara-mandapa to welcome pilgrims.
• The dvara-mandapa and the 22 parivara shrines are carefully aligned to geometric ratios. For example, the axis of asthana mandapa is co-axial with the southern porch of the ranga-mandapa of the main temple. The smaller temple north of the main temple is co-axial with the northern porch. The Nandi mandapa, badly ruined and in a collapsed condition, is co-axial with the sanctum if the main temple.
• According to Dhaky and Meister in Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture, a close examination of the ruins reveals "the minute, beautiful and thoughtfully layered carving evenly spread" over the walls and parts of the temple that survive (p. 540).
• The main temple opens to the east and had a Nandi mandapam in front of it. The prakara's eastern gateway had a torana and pillared mandapa to welcome pilgrims. Eight subsidiary shrines were located to the west of the main temple and these also opened to the east. Four subsidiary shrines were located to the north of the main temple and these opened towards south. Three subsidiary shrines were located to the south of the main temple and these opened towards north. Four subsidiary shrines were located to the east of the main temple and these opened towards west. In total, 21 small subsidiary shrines, each with a square mandapa and square sanctum surrounded the main temple.
• To the north of the main large temple was a smaller yet substantial temple (similar in concept to the Ramappa temple about 10 kilometers away). Both these temples had three entrances (east, north, south), a ranga-mandapa, a mukhya-mandapa, all with significant artwork and much decorations.
• The main temple's vimana is 30 feet across, with the kapili-wall elegantly integrated with the vimana-wall.
• The ranga-mandapa of the main temple is a 94 feet square, with pillars and kaksasana decorated with damsels in classical Indian dance postures. Over the vedis, some salabhanjikas of tall, slim and elongated nayikas survive.
• The antarala artwork includes Nataraja (Natesa) with Brahma and Vishnu. Other Vedic and Puranic deities can also be identified by their vahana and iconographic features.
• The original Nandi is badly damaged, but still survives enough to suggest that it was once "beautifully decked" with stone jewelry, according to Dhaky and Meister.
• Other than the main temple and smaller temple to its north, the 21 subsidiary shrines illustrate the Bhumija and Kutina type of early Hindu architecture. Most were short kapili, square architectural plan and all had a vimana. They belong to the tribhauma sub-category in their design.
• Other than the 23 temples, the complex has ruins of a major asthana-mandapa as the 24th monument. This asthana-mandapa was covered, with a roof standing on 24 pillars, forming salas (sabha-category architecture). The space had stone benches. The surviving artwork suggest it too was carved.
• The Kota Gudi was not an isolated monument in this area. There were additional temples but most of these were destroyed in later centuries. Only one other substantial ruin survives to the south of the Ghanpur village, and it is called Reddi Gudi.