Ramappa Temple

Ramappa Temple, also known as the Rudreswara temple, is a Kakatiya style Hindu temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, located in Telangana, India. It is 15 km (9.3 mi) from Mulugu, 66 km (41 mi) from Warangal, 209 km (130 mi) from Hyderabad. An inscription in the temple says it was constructed in the year 1213 CE by Recherla Rudra—a general of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva (r. 1199–1262).[1][2][3] Located in the vicinity of Ramappa Lake, the Ramappa Temple complex which consist of three temples was constructed between 1212 and 1234, designed and architect by Ramappa—after whom the temple complex is named.[4] [5]Marco Polo, during his visit to the Kakatiya empire, supposedly called the temple "the brightest star in the galaxy of temples".[6] In July 2021, Ramappa Temple was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[7][8]

"Ramappa" redirects here. For the lake, see Ramappa Lake.

Ramappa Temple
Rudreshswara Temple
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictMulugu
DeityShiva as Ramalingeswara Swamy[1]
FestivalsMaha Shivaratri
Location
LocationPalampet village
StateTelangana
CountryIndia
Ramappa Temple is located in Telangana
Ramappa Temple
Location in Telangana
Geographic coordinates18°15′33″N 79°56′36″E
Architecture
Architect(s)Ramappa
TypeKakatiya architecture, Bhumija/Vesara style
CreatorRecharla Rudra
Completed13th Century
Direction of façadeEast-facing
Official name: Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana
CriteriaCultural: (i)(iii)
Designated2021 (44th session)
Reference no.1570

Structure

Ramappa Temple stands on a 6-foot (1.8 m) high star-shaped platform. The hall in front of the sanctum has numerous carved pillars that have been positioned to create an effect that combines light and space wonderfully. The temple is named after the sculptor Ramappa, who built it, making it the only temple in India to be named after its craftsman.[6]

The main structure is in a reddish sandstone, but the columns round the outside have large brackets of black basalt which is rich in iron, magnesium and silica. These are carved as mythical animals or female dancers or musicians, and are "the masterpieces of Kakatiya art, notable for their delicate carving, sensuous postures and elongated bodies and heads".[9] On 25 July 2021, the temple was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as "Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana".[2][10]

Description

The roof (garbhalayam) of the temple is built with bricks, which are so light that they are able to float on water.[11]

Some bricks of the Ramappa temple and Humayun's tomb were sent for examination to Dr. Habib Haman, Chief Chemist of Government Industrial Laboratory, Hyderabad, Dn. He has kindly reported as follows: 'The samples of floating bricks from Bidar are similar to those from Warangal as far as the method of manufacture is concerned. The material used to make the brick spongy was apparently saw-dust. The weight of the specimens is 1⁄3 to 1⁄4 of the ordinary bricks of the same size. The Bidar specimens show better quality as regards homogeneous mixing and uniform burning than their proto-types from Ramappa, as a result of which the porosity is well-maintained in the body of bricks from Bidar and they float well in water.[12]

There are two small Shiva shrines on either side of the main temple. The enormous Nandi within, facing the shrine of Shiva, remains in good condition.

Nataraja Ramakrishna revived Perini Sivatandavam (Perini Dance), by seeing the sculptures in this temple.[13][14] The dance poses, written in Nrtta Ratnavali by Jayapa Senani, also appear in these sculptures.[15]

The temple remained intact even after repeated wars, plunder and destruction during wars and natural disasters. There was a major earthquake during the 17th century which caused some damage. It survived the earthquake due to its 'sandbox technique' of laying foundation.[16]

Many of the smaller structures were neglected and are in ruins. The Archaeological Survey of India has taken charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the temple is ruined.[17]

Location

Ramappa temple is located in Palampet, Venkatapur mandal which is 19 km (12 mi) from Mulugu mandal (around 70 km (43 mi) off Warangal city). It is located 6 km (3.7 mi) away from Kota Gullu where another Shiva temple is located.

  • From the side
    From the side
  • Front
    Front
  • From behind
    From behind
  • One of the distinctive dancers
    One of the distinctive dancers
  • Dancer
    Dancer
  • Pillar inside the mandapa
    Pillar inside the mandapa
  • Inside the mandapa
    Inside the mandapa
  • Smaller temple
    Smaller temple

See also

References
  1. Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao (January 2015). "Ramappa temple never fails to surprise visitors". The Hindu. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  2. Nanisetti, Serish (25 July 2021). "Telangana's Ramappa Temple inscribed as a World Heritage Site". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  3. Putcha 1978, p. 143.
  4. Saravanan 2014, pp. 29–35.
  5. "800-year-old Ramappa Temple in Telangana gets the UNESCO World Heritage Site tag". The Economic Times. 26 July 2021. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
  6. Dobbie 2006, p. 36.
  7. "Kakatiya Rudreswara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  8. "Telangana's Ramappa Temple becomes a UNESCO World Heritage Site". The Indian Express. 26 July 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  9. Michell & Davies 1989, p. 385.
  10. UNESCO (25 July 2021). "Cultural sites in China, India, Iran and Spain inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List". UNESCO. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
  11. "Telangana Tourism - Visit for all reasons & all seasons". Telangana Tourism. Archived from the original on 8 August 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. Bidar, Its History and Monuments, Yazdani, G., https://books.google.com/books?id=w6xpQpOCtzAC, 1947, Oxford University Press, p. 133
  13. P., Surya Rao (10 November 2006). "Blast from the past". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007.
  14. Gupta, Roxanne Kamayani (1 March 2000). A Yoga of Indian Classical Dance: The Yogini's Mirror. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-59477-527-7.
  15. Ponvannan, Gayathri (25 January 2022). 100 Great Chronicles of Indian History: From Cave Paintings to the Constitution. Hachette India. ISBN 978-93-91028-77-0.
  16. "Did Kakatiya rulers hold the secret to earthquake-proof buildings?". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
  17. "Warangal Temples, Telangana". Retrieved 11 September 2006.

Bibliography
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