Ramappa Temple

WHAT

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) inscribed the 13th-century Ramappa in Palampet, Telangana as a World Heritage Site.

While India submitted the nomination dossier for Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana, to the World Heritage Committee (WHC) in January 2019, it was on UNESCO’s Tentative list since 2014. While WHC could not meet in 2020 owing to the pandemic, the nominations for 2020 and 2021 are being discussed in the online meeting currently underway.The official announcement was made in Fuzhou, China, where the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee was held.

It is said that as many as 17 of the 21 member nations supported the inscription.

The Ramalingeswara Temple which is popularly known as the Ramappa temple is one such amazing piece of art that stands as a testimony of the royal Kakatiyas. The temple got its name Ramappa because of its chief sculptor Ramappa. It's probably the only temple in the country to be by the name of its sculptor.

WHO

It was built by the patronage of the Kakatiya ruler Kakati Ganapathi Deva under the authority of his Chief Commander Recharla Rudra / Rudra Samani at the place known as Ranakude in the Atukuru province.

WHERE

Present day Rudreshwara/Ramappa Temple, is situated in Palampet village of the Venkatapur Mandal, in Mulug Taluq of Warangal district, approximately 200km north-east of Hyderabad, in the State of Telangana.

WHEN

It is the main Shiva temple in a walled complex built during the Kakatiyan period (1123–1323 CE) under rulers Rudradeva and Recharla Rudra. An inscription dates it to 1213 AD. It took four decades to complete the temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

WHY

The 800-year-old Ramappa temple’s unique sandbox technology and ‘floating bricks’ helped it get the global tag.

Architecture and interesting things about the temple:

Ramappa Temple is reached through a lush green path dotted with trees, which was once a royal garden. This temple, although constructed with bricks that can float in water, is still standing strong. It is built on a 6 feet high platform. It consists of a garbhagriha, an antarala, and maha mandapam. The main entrance gate, which is built on the outer wall of the temple, is now in ruins. Hence, you will have to enter through the small gate. The main temple is surrounded by walls.
The walls of the temple showcase intricate carvings. Even pillars and ceilings have been engraved beautifully. In front of the temple consists of many pillars with exquisite carvings. The sculptures on the temple’s pillars are another highlight of the beautiful structure. Legend has it that the pillar makes a musical sound when it is hit. The sculptures in the temple have been carved out of hard dolerite stone. The sanctum, surrounded by pradakshina path, is dotted with a shikhara.
As you enter the temple, you will see a Nandi mandapam with Nandi, facing the Lord Shiva shrine. Although the mandapa is not in good condition, the majestic statue of Nandi, divine vehicle of Lord Shiva, is undamaged and presents an impressive sight.
Inside the temple, Shivalingam has been placed at a height of 9 feet in garbhagriha. At the entrance of Garbhagriha, you will see carvings on the walls, showcasing various dance forms as well as different musical instruments. Its ceiling consists of carvings, depicting scenes from Hindu epics Ramayana, Shiva Purana and various other ancient texts.
The madanikas or salabhanjikas of the Rameswara temple form an important part of this temple, and one cannot miss these tall, lithe, black bracket figures on pillars, two on each side of the entrances. Unlike the voluptous Hoyala madanikas and the typical beauties of the classical Indian art, these madanikas/salabhanjikas exhibit slim and tall figures in graceful poses; however their faces that have noticeably large eyes, are rather wooden with no emotions. Not all madanikas are dancers; one is a nagini, one is a huntress with a bow and arrow, one is a drummer, and two are jaganmohinis. Besides the salabhanjikas/madanikas, there are gajasimhas on basalt brackets all around the mandapa that form the royal insignia of the Kakatiyas.
There are sub shrines in the temple, which are located on both sides. Kameswara and Koteswara shrines are the two shrines built here; the Kameswara Temple is now in ruins. Ramappa temple, presents a classical style of structures as per which the main building of the temple is built on a raised platform so as to differentiate it. It is symbolic of the connection of Heaven and earth in the middle of both.

HOW

Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple is nominated under Criterion i (Masterpiece of human creative genius) and criterion iii (bearing a unique or at least an exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition, which is living or which has disappeared).

Earlier, the International Council of Historic Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) had evaluated Ramappa’s heritage status and made some recommendations.

With this, India has 39 sites on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is now the custodian of 23 world heritage sites.

How to Reach Ramappa Temple from Warangal & Hyderabad ?

Ramappa temple is located around 67 km away from Warangal. It is located in Palampet village, which is about 19 km from Mulugu Mandal. To reach the temple, tourists are required to reach Warangal from Hyderabad or need to reach Hanamkonda. From here, one can board one of the many public buses that run up to or via Ramappa Temple at regular intervals.

The temple plan of the main Rudreshwara temple. A flight of five steps lead to the stepped diamond basement that forms the entrance of the mandapa, and another flight of steps takes one into the mandapa from three sides, as seen in the plan here. Photo source: The ASI archives.