File:Pachala Someshwara Temple - 1.jpg

English: Panagal (Nalgonda) region of Telangana state has been a major Shaivism pilgrimage center. Many clusters of historic Hindu temples dating between 6th and 14th century are found in the region and in a band extending from western Telangana through northern Chhattisgarh state. These temples show a blend of influences between the northern and southern Indian style of temple architecture.

In Panagal, both Shaiva and Vaishnava temples and artwork is found. Of these, Pachala and Chaya temples are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temples include artwork associated with Vishnu. The reliefs, panels and artwork depict famous Vedic and Puranic era legends about Shiva and Vishnu.

The Pachala temple consists of four shrines, three on the west and one on the east. These four shrines share a common and large rectangular mandapam. The temple is highly ornate and richly carved, though with many signs of intentional damage to face, ears and limbs during 14th- to 18th-century regional wars. The Pachala interior has 70 pillars with intricate carvings depicting mythical legends of Vishnu and Shiva. The garbhagriya (sanctum) is dedicated to Shiva (Someshwara) is in the aniconic form of Linga prepared from a large block of Green Onyx stone. The word "green" is "Pachala" in local language, and this gives the temple the name Pachala Someswara. Facing the sanctum is an intricately carved Nandi (bull).

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