Ramappa Temple

Facts & Figures
Built in	AD 1213
Built by	Kakatiya Dynasty
Location	Warangal District (Andhra Pradesh)

Symphony In Stone
The erstwhile Kakatiya rulers of Andhra Pradesh built the Ramappa temple, a part of an exquisite temple complex dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the trinity of the principle Hindu Gods. The quality of the sculptures and carvings in Ramappa temple show the artistic excellence achieved by the craftsmen of that time.

South Indian Temple Architecture
The basic structure of temples in India is a room or the Garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) where the idol of the main deity is kept. The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is often built on a platform. A porch covers the entrance to the temple, which is supported by carved pillars. A prominent roof called the shikhara surmounts the top of the Garbhagriha, and dominates the surroundings.

Temple architecture in India is broadly divided into the northern and southern styles and has been classified by the form and shape of the shikhara and the distinctiveness of its decoration. The shikhara of the temples in south India tend to be made up of distinct horizontal levels that diminish to form a rough pyramid. Each level is decorated with miniature temple rooftops. Some south Indian temples like the Minakshi temple also have tall shikharas over the elaborate gateways or Gopurams, to add to the overall symmetry of the temple complex. The shikhara of the temples in north and central India, in contrast, resembles an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical shikharas. Some temples developed their own local flavor while adhering to their basic regional style.

The Ramappa temple belongs to the south Indian style of temple architecture. It however, does not have the elaborate gateways or Gopurams of other famous south Indian temples. Right from the base to the ceiling, this temple is sculpted with mythical figures and depiction of scenes from Hindu mythology.

Ramappa Temple
Among the important monuments of the state of Andhra Pradesh, the great temple of Palampet, popularly known as the Ramappa Temple, is an archaeological wonder. This temple is considered to be an outstanding contribution of the Kakatiya kings of Warangal to Indian culture in general and medieval temple architecture in south India in particular. The Kakatiya kings reigned over Andhra Pradesh for about 200 years between the 10th and 12th centuries AD. They were great builders and patrons of art and the Ramappa temple is a representation of their artistic inclination.

According to an inscription preserved in the temple premises, the temple was completed in AD 1213 during the eventful reign of Raja Ganapati Deva. The inscription also says that the temple was built on behalf of the king, Kakati Ganapathi Deva by his chief commander Rudra Samani at a place called Ranakude in Atukuru province. The inscription says that there were three temples–Kateswara, Kameswara, and Rudreswara–all dedicated to their chief deity Shiva. Today, except for the main edifice of Rudreswara, which is more or less intact, the other two shrines are completely ruined. The King also constructed a great lake of the same name nearby by tapping a tributary of River Godavari.

Ramappa Temple is a shivalaya (house of Lord Shiva or where Lord Shiva is worshipped) and stands majestically on a six feet high star-shaped platform that blends beautifully with the rest of the structure above. This main edifice is flanked by the two other Shiva shrines mentioned in the inscription, which are in ruins now. A compound wall surrounds the spacious temple complex and around it is a vast expanse of paddy crops dotted with scores of toddy palms, which lend a special attraction to the monument.

Apart from the main entrance to the east, the temple also has an entrance on its northern side. A flight of steps takes one into a common hall, the Rangamandapam. No words can adequately describe the beauty of this hall, which contains some of the finest minute carvings. At the main entrance is the sculpture of Nandi, the inseparable companion and vehicle of Shiva. Perhaps its builders sought to immortalize their favorite deity, so they chiseled the lingam and the Nandi in awesome proportions—both standing nearly nine feet tall.

Every year during Mahashivratri (the Hindu festival to celebrate Lord Shiva’s wedding to goddess Parvati), people visit Ramappa to worship Lord Shiva. For the three days following the festival, the place reverberates with Shivanama or the chanting of the name of Lord Shiva.

Sculptures
The overall effect of the temple immediately brings to mind the famous temple of Belur in Karnataka. It’s magical symmetry, like a symphony in stone, touches the aesthetic sense of the visitor. The temple is sculpted right from its base to its wall panels and pillars, and the ceiling is a cosmos of figures drawn from Hindu mythology. Several episodes from the epics Ramayan and Mahabharat, figures of celestial maidens holding a variety of musical instruments, rows of elephants, dancers, battle scenes etc., are meticulously carved, lavishly ornamented and highly polished. Between the southeast and the north face of the temple, there are some twelve life-like figures of voluptuous, nude and semi-nude apsaras (heavenly maidens) bracketed between the pillars and the porch. These nearly life-size representations of women look glamorous with their exotic hairstyles, and delicately carved finery. These figures with the mirror-like polishing and minute details are depicted in various moods and gestures. The most noted among these figures is the Naga-Kanya (mythological women belonging to the serpent world).

How To Reach
To see the temple of Ramappa, one has to go to the town of Warangal first. Ramappa temple is 60km north east of Warangal and can be reached by bus. Warangal is an important railway junction and a number of important trains halt there. It also has good road link with different parts of Andhra Pradesh.