Ramappa Temple 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 Andhra Pradesh 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. An inscription in the temple dates it to the year 1213 and said to have been built by a General Recherla Rudra, during the period of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva.
Description
This medieval temple is a Shivalaya (where Shiva is worshipped) and named after the sculptor who built it rather that after its presiding deity, Ramalingesw
ara, perhaps to accent Shiva's importance as the personal god of the avatar of Vishnu, Rama.
This beautiful temple, an example of brilliant Kakatiya dynasty art, 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. It is built with bricks so light that they are able to float on water.
The hall in front of the sanctum 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 Shiva shrines on eithe
r side of the main temple that are completely ruined. The enormous Nandi within, facing the shrine of Shiva, remains in good condition.
Today
The temple had remained intact after repeated wars, invasions and natural disasters. There was a major earthquake during the 17th century which caused some damage.
In the Ramappa temple, many of the smaller structures were neglected and are in ruins. The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) had taken charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the tem
ple is ruined.
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