Ramappa Temple

The Ramappa Temple lies tucked in the beautiful valley of Palampet village, roughly 157 km away from Hyderabad. Interestingly, the temple is named after its creator (sculpture) and not the deity, which is quite unusual in India. Lord Ramalingeswara, yet another form of Lord Shiva is worshipped here by thousands of devotees who visit the temple every year. As a tourist, there's a lot to look at. The deity stands tall on a tremendous star-shaped platform, and the pillars of the temple also have beautiful carvings.

The Ramappa temple has been referred as the brightest star in the network of medieval temples in the Deccan region. You can reach the temple via a royal garden, which is now reduced to a lawn with a path paved by trees. Another striking feature of this temple is that it is built with bricks that are so light that they can easily float on water. The temple which is situated in a valley took nearly 40 years to be completed. Elaborate carvings line the walls and also cover the pillars and ceilings of the temple.

History of Ramappa Temple

The Ramappa Temple dates back to 1213 AD and was built by Chief Commander Rudra Samani under the authority of Kakatiya ruler Kakati Ganapathi Deva. The temple derives its name from the sculptor Ramappa who built the statue of Shiva here and highlighted the importance of the worship of the deity, thus superseding the preceding deity Ramalingeshwara.

The construction of the temple saw completion in the year 1253, forty years after it first began. The time invested in laying the foundation was a worthy investment indeed, as the temple has managed to remain intact even after repeated plunder, wars, and natural disasters. The only damage suffered by Ramappa Temple can be attributed to an earthquake that struck the region in the 17th century, besides which the building stands strong even today.

Architecture of Ramappa Temple

The architecture of the Ramappa Temple is a marvelous example of the Kakatiya style of architecture, with the temple designed to be elevated above its surroundings on a high star-shaped platform. There are three entrances to the main sanctum of the temple, each of which is flanked by detailed statues and carvings. Built out of sandstone, these statues illustrate many things ranging from daintily Mandakinis to mythical animals. Three distinct sections, namely Antaral, Maha Mandap, and Garbhagrih together constitute the Ramappa Temple.

The walls of the temple are adorned by carvings that are also found on the pillars and ceilings. Lotus motifs, elephants in different poses, and images of Gods such as Narasimha and Ganesha embellish the many pillars that hold the ceiling of the Ramappa temple in place. Prominent among these are the sculptures of Hindu mythology that cover the temple from its base to its wall panels and ceiling. The roof of the temple is built with ultra-light bricks, light enough to float on water. The statue of Shiva's celestial bull Nandi can be seen guarding the premises as well.