Ramappa Temple

Coordinates: 18°15′33″N 79°56′36″E / 18.25917°N 79.94333°E / 18.25917; 79.94333

Ramappa Gudi
రామప్ప గుడి

Ramappa Temple
Name
Telugu రామప్ప గుడి
Geography
Country India
State Telangana
District Warangal
Location Palampet village
Culture
Primary deity Lord Siva
Festival deity Ramalingeswara Swamy[1]
Direction and posture East-facing
Important festivals Maha Sivaratri
Architecture
Architectural styles South Indian
Architect Ramappa
History and governance
Date built 11th Century
Creator Recherla Rudra

Ramappa gudi (Telugu: రామప్ప గుడి) also known as the Ramalingeswara temple, is located 77 km from Warangal, the ancient capital of the Kakatiya dynasty, 157 km from Hyderabad in the state of Telangana in southern India. It lies in a valley at Palampet village of Venkatapur Mandal, in erstwhile Mulug Taluq of Warangal district, a tiny village long past its days of glory in the 13th and 14th centuries.[2] An inscription in the temple dates it to the year 1213 AD and said to have been built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva.[1]


Building

The medieval temple is a Shivalaya, meaning a place where Shiva is worshipped, and is named after the sculptor Ramappa. Its presiding deity, Ramalingeswara, is the form of Shiva and a personal god of the avatar of Vishnu, Rama. The history says that it took 40 years to build this temple.

This is opposite the beautiful temple, an example of Kakatiya dynasty art, Planned and sculpted by Ramappa, the temple was built on the classical pattern of being lifted above the world on a high star-shaped platform. Intricate carvings line the walls and cover the pillars and ceilings. Starting at its base to its wall panels, pillars and ceiling are sculpted figures drawn from Hindu mythology.[3] The roof (garbhalayam) of the temple is built with bricks, which are so light that they are able to float on water.[4]

The hall in front of the sanctum is filled with carved pillars that are placed as to combine light and space with the finely chiselled walls and ceiling. 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 Shivatandavam (Perini Dance), by seeing the sculptures in this temple. The dance poses, written in Nritta Rathnavalid by Jayapa Senaani, also appear in these sculptures.

The temple built area is 5 acres and a twenty acres of land was developed by the greenery around the temple. A total of 25 km radius found historic temples in the district.

Also similar architectural features can be identified in Ghanpur group of temples.

The temple had 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.

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.[5]

Location

Ramappa temple is located in Palampet, Venkatapur mandal which is 19 km far from Mulugu Mandal (50 km off Warangal Town). It is 6 km away from kotagulla where another Shiva temple located.

References

  1. 1 2 Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao. "Ramappa temple never fails to surprise visitors". The Hindu. Retrieved 2015-01-01.
  2. ↑ "The Shiva temples at Palampet". Retrieved 2006-09-11.
  3. ↑ "Ramappa Temple - Symphony In Stone". Rakshan Sharma. Retrieved 2006-09-11.
  4. ↑ "Warangal Temples, Telangana". Retrieved 2006-09-11.
  5. ↑ "Warangal Temples, Telangana". Retrieved 2006-09-11.

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