Naganur

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

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Karimnagar district map

Naganur (नागनूर) is a village in Karimnagar istrict of Telangana, India.

Variants

• Naganura (नागनूर), जिला करीमनगर, तेलंगाना, (AS, p.486)
• Nagunuru
• Nagaroor
• Nagnur
• Nalgunoorlu

Location

Nagnur is located 3 km towards west from District head quarters Karimnagar. Nagnur Pin code is 505415 and postal head office is Choppadandi.

History

The village of Nagunuru is 8 km away from Karimnagar in the north. The multi label images, big and small rock inscriptions in this dilapidated temple tell us about the past glory of this temple. The old city of Nagaroor is now called Naganur. This village has been the capital for 5 centuries, between 8th and 13th centuries B.C. during the reign of Vemulawada Chalukyas, Kalyani Chalukyas and Kakatiyas and was a centre for religious, political and spiritual activities. The existence of the remains of the ancient parapet walls around the village can still be seen.

Fort of 400 Temples

Fort of 400 Temples: The Nagnur fort has considerable historical importance. It derives its name from the fact that there were 400 temples in it at one time. “ Nalgunoorlu,” the Telugu word for four hundred, was corrupted to “ Nagnur.” Even today there are two good temples — one of Vishnu and the other of Siva. There are three stupas or pillars called “Budhatis,” which are believed to have been constructed during Asoka’s time. This shows, that the place is of ancient origin.

Nagunur Fort

Nagunur Fort was a fort built by the people of the Kakatiya dynasty. It is around 8 km north of Karimnaga The fort is testimony to the imperial powers of the Kakatiyas. It was one of the most important forts of the emerging Kakatiya dynasty and contains ruins of a cluster of Western Chalukya and Kakatiya temples.

The pillars and galleries around the Shiva temple here are worth seeing. The most important temple in the complex is the Shiva temple, which has three shrines. The main entrance to the temple is on the northern side and the three shrines face the other three directions.

The main entrance of the temple faces North. The three shrines face the other three directions. The temple lies within the precincts of the Nagunur Fort. The fort was once the seat of power of the Kakatiyas. Its interiors which would once echo the sounds of a lively and bustling city today chants the silent agony of ruins and debris. Several other temples in decrepit state lie strewn on the Telangana State highway from Karimnagar to Rayapatnam. Buried under administrative delay, the temples, which were once the source of great activity, have today turned into a mute audience waiting for the healing touch.

नागनूर

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ...नागनूर (AS, p.486) करीमनगर, आंध्र प्रदेश में स्थित एक ऐतिहासिक स्थान है। स्थानीय लोगों की मान्यता के अनुसार प्राचीन समय में नागनूर में 400 मन्दिर हुआ करते थे। नागनूर नाम तेलगू नाल-गुनूरेलु (=चार सौ) का अपभ्रंश कहा जाता है। प्राचीन काल का एक दुर्ग भी यहाँ है, जो अब जीर्ण अवस्था में है। भगवान शिव और विष्णु के मंदिर भी यहाँ के सुन्दर स्मारकों में से हैं। बुधाती नामक तीन स्तूप या स्तम्भ भी यहाँ स्थित हैं, जिन्हें किंवतंती के अनुसार मौर्य सम्राट अशोक ने बनवाया था। इससे नागनूर की प्राचीनता प्रमाणित होती है।