Ramappa temple is located in Palampet, Venkatapur mandal which is 19 kilometres far from Mulugu Mandal. Also known as Rudreswara temple, it was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2021.
The temple is 6 km away from Kotagulla. Ramappa temple had remained intact even after repeated wars, plunder and destruction by Muslim invaders and natural disasters. There was a major earthquake during the 17th century which caused some damage to this temple.
Location of Ramappa Temple
Ramappa Temple is located 77 km from Warangal district, the ancient capital of the Kakatiya dynasty. This temple is 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.
History of Ramappa Temple
Ramappa Temple is the pride of Telangana as this temple is worthwhile for its architectural elegance. An inscription in the temple dates it to the year 1213 AD. It is have been built by Recherla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya Dynasty, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva, who was the prominent ruler of Kakatiya times.
Ramappa Temple is a medieval temple of Lord Shiva, who is worshipped and named after the sculptor Ramappa. It is the only temple in the world named after its sculptor of that temple. Its presiding deity, Lord Ramalingeswara, is the form of Lord Shiva and a personal God of the Avatar of Vishnu, Lord Rama.
Architecture of Ramappa Temple
This temple is the excellent example of Kakatiya art, planned and sculpted by Ramappa, with a span of forty years. It is made of black basalt rock that majorly forms the Deccan plateau. The temple was built on the classical pattern of being lifted above the world on a 6 foot high star-shaped platform which was constructed using sandstone, granite, dolerite, and lime. The foundation was made by filling a pit with a mixture of sand-lime, jaggery for binding. Stronger structures were constructed on "sandboxes" to absorb the waves of the earthquake as the site is located under a seismic zone of the Godavari belt.
The intricate carving lines of the walls and cover of the pillars and ceilings are the cynosure of the Ramappa Temple. Starting at its base to its wall panels, pillars and ceiling are sculpted figures drawn from Hindu mythology. Throughout the temple, there are the sculptural works of Ramayana and Mahabharata. The bricks used in the construction of the temple shikhara or gopuram have density lower than that of water. It is made of clay mixed with acacia wood, chaff and myrobalan (a fruit), making it a sponge-like structure, thus being able to float on water. It is believed that elephants were used as cranes to construct the "shikara" roof of the temple.
Architectural Fusion: The temple`s construction utilizes three different colored stones—red, white, and brown, skillfully merged into a single stone, showcasing the advanced architectural craftsmanship of the Kakatiya era.
Structure of Ramappa Temple
The hall in front of the sanctum of Ramappa Temple is filled with exquisitely carved pillars that are placed as to combine light and space wonderfully with the finely chiselled walls and ceiling. There are two small shrines of Lord Shiva on either side of the main temple. In a significant architectural feat, daylight is reflected by the four granite pillars in the sanctorum which is diverted towards the inner sanctum, keeping it illuminated the whole day. The enormous Nandi facing the shrine of Shiva remains in good condition. Ramappa temple is built on an area of 5 acres by 20 acres of land and boasts of beautiful greenery around the temple. A total of 25 kilometres radius of this temple has some of the most historic temples in the district located. The similar architectural features can be identified in Ghanpur Group of temples.
This venerable structure predominantly employs reddish sandstone as its primary building material. However, a striking contrast is presented by the columns that encircle the temple`s exterior. These columns are adorned with substantial brackets crafted from black basalt, a stone characterized by its abundance of iron, magnesium, and silica content.
Noteworthy is the exquisite artistry exhibited in the design of these brackets. They are meticulously carved to assume various forms, including depictions of mythical creatures, female dancers, and musicians. These intricate carvings are the epitome of Kakatiya art, renowned for its remarkable precision and attention to detail.
The distinctive qualities of these sculptures are characterized by their delicately carved features, portraying sensuous postures, and elongated bodies and heads. These artistic elements not only add to the temple`s aesthetic appeal but also offer a glimpse into the rich artistic heritage of the Kakatiya dynasty. The juxtaposition of reddish sandstone and black basalt, along with the skillful execution of mythical and cultural motifs, makes the Ramappa Temple a significant architectural and artistic marvel of its time.
Sculptures of Ramappa Temple
The sculptures adorning the Ramappa Temple offer a remarkable glimpse into the rich artistic and architectural heritage of the Kakatiya dynasty. This 800-year-old temple, located in Telangana, India, is renowned for its intricate carvings and diverse motifs.
Figure Brackets and Sculptures: One of the distinctive features of the Ramappa Temple is its figure brackets, emerging from the outer pillars. These brackets are adorned with sculptures of madanikas (dancing figures) and gaja vyalas (mythical creatures). These figures serve as supports to the roof projections and are celebrated for their artistic excellence.
Musical Pillars: Among the temple`s intriguing features are the musical pillars. One pillar depicts Lord Krishna seated beneath a tree, playing his flute, a representation of the mythological tale of Gopika Vastrapaharanam. Remarkably, these pillars produce the melodious sounds of the Saptaswaras (Sa Ri Ga Ma Pa Da Ni Sa) when tapped.
Warding off the Evil Eye: Inside the sanctum sanctorum, a portion of the main pillar displays misplaced carvings and a slight dent. This apparent flaw was intentional, believed to ward off the evil eye, according to local folklore.
13 Needle Holes: One of the pillars features a finely carved bangle-shaped motif with 13 holes, symbolizing Lord Shiva`s Trayodashi (13 in Sanskrit). Legend holds that Lord Shiva defeated demons on Trayodashi to protect sages. The precision of these holes, which allow only a small thread or needle to pass through, shows the architectural prowess of the Kakatiya era.
Optical Illusion: A unique carving within the temple presents three dancers in the middle, sharing only four legs. By selectively closing the bodies of the dancers, observers can perceive two girls dancing or the middle dancer with her legs.
Elephant Carvings: The outer walls of the temple showcase 526 intricately carved elephants. Each elephant is distinct, reflecting the appreciation of the Kakatiyas for the role of elephants in constructing the temple and transporting granite stones. Additionally, these elephants face clockwise, aligning with the Hindu ritual of circumambulating a shrine.
Influences from Distant Lands: Sculptures within the temple reveal the Kakatiyas` trade relations with distant lands during the 13th century. Notably, Persian men and Egyptian Pharaohs are depicted alongside other figurines, illustrating the cultural exchanges of the era. Some sculptures also depict figures from Jain and Buddhist traditions.
Mandanikas: The temple features 12 black stone statues of Mandanikas, or dancing figures, perched atop pillars. Each figure exhibits distinct features and poses, adding grace and movement to the temple`s architectural elements.
The madanikas display grace and movement and are maidens who have been called shalabhanjikas, alasa kanyas etc. in many contexts in literature and as depictions in sculpture. The word alasa kanya roughly translates as "indolent maiden." They have different moods like alasa, torana, mugdha, manini, dalamalika, padmagandha, darpana, vinyasa, ketaki-bharana, matrumurti, chamara, gunthana, nartaki, sukasarika, nupura-padika or mrudanga-mardini.
The Nagini holds a snake with another snake hanging over her shoulder. She stands over a serpent with two flying dwarf human figures are on either side. The dala-malika is wearing high heeled shoes, probably to guard against thorns as she moves through a forest. The mrudanga- mardini is a beautiful drummer seen in abhanga posture, with two miniature drummers to form an orchestra. Manini is a shy woman and is aware of her feminine sensuality.
Kakatiya Emblem: Carvings and statues on the temple`s walls and pillars incorporate the Kakatiya dynasty`s emblem, known as Gaja Kesari. This emblem features an elephant trunk, a human shoulder, and a lion`s face, symbolizing the dynasty`s valor.
Jewelry Details: The sculptures within the Ramappa Temple offer a comprehensive study of ancient jewelry. The madanikas wear a variety of ornaments, including necklaces, earrings, finger rings, waist girdles, anklets, and more, reflecting the intricacies of adornment during that era. The detailed portrayal of jewelry adds to the temple`s cultural significance.
Ramappa Temple stands as a testament to the artistic prowess and architectural sophistication of the Kakatiya dynasty, offering a wealth of insights into ancient Indian culture and craftsmanship. Each sculpture and carving within this sacred edifice tells a unique story, making it a cherished heritage site and a source of historical fascination.
