The Temple is located 2.5 km away from Kothur village, near Jangalapalli of Mulugu mandal in Jayashankar Bhupalapalli district.
The temple is on a densely forested hill locally called ‘Devuni Gutta’. One has to walk from the village through a forest. About halfway up, the path becomes a water path — a stream or a rivulet that one can walk through. The watery path runs for a kilometre at least. Even as you enjoy the walk, you also get to see beautiful waterfalls at several places.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, one comes upon this absolutely stunning temple with carvings on all four walls sitting snug within a lush green environ. It looks like it is made of bricks but up close one can see that the blocks are a mixture of sand and stone. Lime mortar was used for plastering. The carvings were made on these square and rectangle shaped blocks. Sages, Buddhist monks, dancers, even some animals can be identified though on the sculpted stone, but a lot of has eroded over time. The sanctum sanctorum also has several such carvings. Historians estimate the age of the temple to be more than 1300 years.
Kiran Chowdary
Ruins of DevuniGutta Temple in Kothur village(Telangana) The square temple is double storeyed. Its 2 storey is square with a Vimana that is probably a dome on a octagonal base. At the corners are square Kuta(s). In between these Kuta(s) we can see ornamental arch motif, common in temples of the region. Sculpture 2nd image look like that of Ardhanarishwara. Another interesting thing about the sculptures is that these show some definite similarity to sculptures of the temples of Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam. Here too these sculptures are comprised of many carved blocks put together. In India this type of sculptures are not common unless it's Terracotta temple. Erosion is intense suggesting its deep antiquity. Though as of now it's dated to ~6th century CE but could be much older.
Bhanupradeep Kallakuri211 days ago
2000 years old boudhharamam currently lakshmi narasimha temple
Madhu Vottery1 year ago
Unforgettable experience of trekking. A lot to explore around, so one must have a day's time.
51 Polam Anirudh Reddy1 year ago
The temple is located in a forest, you can enjoy the trail till the temple.
Srinath reddy2 years ago
Unique architecture and only one of its kind temples in India.
To reach the site 2km walk in the forest is the only option and a guide from the local village is recommended.
Rakesh raky2 years ago
World's Oldest Buddhist Temple... Trekking, Adventurous, Thrilling Note: Should not go Alone Chances of getting lost in the Forest...
Kalthi Naveen2 years ago
It is thought the temple was built about the 6th century CE under the Vishnukundina dynasty. It is in a "remote forested plateau",[4] and only came to the attention of experts in 2012, when it was reported to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and local papers.[5] However, it did not come to wider attention until images of it were posted on social media in 2017, after which a number of international scholars visited it, and published scholarly reports began to appear. It has an unusual profusion of relief sculptures, many very worn, both inside and outside,[6] and the paper published on the temple in 2019 comments that "Considering its relatively good state of preservation and its many special features, it is puzzling why no one should have reported or studied it yet."[7] The sculptures prominently include Shiva in the form of Ardhanarishvara. The temple now consists of a square sanctuary with a shikhara or vimana tower,[8] 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.[9] Visiting international scholars, as well as local people, have expressed concern about the condition of the building. Local voluntary groups have cleared the vegetation growing on the actual structure,[10] and in late 2019 the Archaeological Survey of India was reported to be ready to restore the temple, but was awaiting permission from the local authorities.[11]
Dëvuniguțța (or Devni Gutta) means "God’s hill" in Telugu.[12]
The temple is on a densely forested hill locally called ‘Devuni Gutta’. One has to walk from the village through a forest. About halfway up, the path becomes a water path — a stream or a rivulet that one can walk through. The watery path runs for a kilometre at least. Even as you enjoy the walk, you also get to see beautiful waterfalls at several places.
Upon reaching the top of the hill, one comes upon this absolutely stunning temple with carvings on all four walls sitting snug within a lush green environ. It looks like it is made of bricks but up close one can see that the blocks are a mixture of sand and stone. Lime mortar was used for plastering. The carvings were made on these square and rectangle shaped blocks. Sages, Buddhist monks, dancers, even some animals can be identified though on the sculpted stone, but a lot of has eroded over time. The sanctum sanctorum also has several such carvings. Historians estimate the age of the temple to be more than 1300 years.
The square temple is double storeyed. Its 2 storey is square with a Vimana that is probably a dome on a octagonal base. At the corners are square Kuta(s). In between these Kuta(s) we can see ornamental arch motif, common in temples of the region.
Sculpture 2nd image look like that of Ardhanarishwara. Another interesting thing about the sculptures is that these show some definite similarity to sculptures of the temples of Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam. Here too these sculptures are comprised of many carved blocks put together. In India this type of sculptures are not common unless it's Terracotta temple. Erosion is intense suggesting its deep antiquity. Though as of now it's dated to ~6th century CE but could be much older.
To reach the site 2km walk in the forest is the only option and a guide from the local village is recommended.
Note: Should not go Alone Chances of getting lost in the Forest...
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.[9] Visiting international scholars, as well as local people, have expressed concern about the condition of the building. Local voluntary groups have cleared the vegetation growing on the actual structure,[10] and in late 2019 the Archaeological Survey of India was reported to be ready to restore the temple, but was awaiting permission from the local authorities.[11]
Dëvuniguțța (or Devni Gutta) means "God’s hill" in Telugu.[12]