Ramappa gudi (Telugu: రామప్ప గుడి) 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 Telangana 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.
A dozen elegant female dancers striking different poses will welcome you to the temple. Each with their flowing clothes, intricate jewelery and not to mention the amazing facial expression will be part of the grand entry. This is Ramappa Temple, Palampet, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh.
The gateways of the Ramappa Temple is flanked by by a statues of dancing girls (know as Mandkinis) made out of black basalt, polished to perfection.
Each of the three gateways of the Ramappa Temple are flanked by a pair of dancing girls on each side, thus making four dancing girls per gate and the number of dancing girls totals to twelve.
The Ramappa Temple is located in the Palmpur village of Warangle district in Andhra Pradesh. It is approachable by road from both Warangle and Hyderabad and is located 77 km from Warangal and 157 km from Hyderabad.
Built in 1213 by General Recherla Rudra during the reign of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva the temple is named after the chief architect Ramappa.
The Kakatiyas became a dominant power in Andhra Pradesh at the same time as the Hoysalas emerged in Karnatak.
Both the two dynasties were great patrons of architecture with very similar architectural style.
Both their temples consists star shaped mandapas with projected porches and balcony seating along with lathe turned multifaceted pillars,
The main structure of the Ramappa Temple complex is know as Ramalingeswara and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is popularly known as the Ramappa Temple and stands on a elevated star shaped platform of height 6 feet.
The Ramalingeswar Temple consist of a garbhagriha, an antrala and a maha mandap. It consists of three entrances flanked with the dancing Mandakinis.
The sand stone built temple is crowned with a spire (vimanam) built of light bricks, so light that it is said to floats in water.
The interior of the temple is supported by pillars with exquisite carvings. The entrance of the inner sanctum in also elaborately carved out of basalt stone so is the celling.
The other wall contains exotic sand stone carvings depicting lines of elephants striking different posses, lotus motifs, mythical animals along with images of Ganesha, Narasimha and other gods and Goddesses. Last but not least the temple also contains erotic freezes!!!!
But the star attraction of the Ramappa temple lies in its bracket figures curved out of black basalt stone which are polished to perfections.
The bracket figure at the three entrances represents the Mandkinis while the other bracket figures represent the mythical creature of yalli.
The compound enclosed by high walls contains several other ruined structure including two other similar smaller structures on either side of the main temple. These two structures were also dedicated to Lord Shiva are known as Kameswara and Kateswara. The compound also contains several other structures including a rock edict and the nandi Mandap.
Although the roof of the Nandi Mandaophas long collapsed the Nandi idol has remained completely intact.
By some strange magic it has survived the successive Islamic invasions, natural calamities and not to mention the years of human neglect.
The Nandi seems to be in alter potion, ready to charge at the orders of Lord Shiva.
The entire region near the Ramappa Temple contains several other ruin structures dating back to the days of Kakatiyas.
Ramappa Temple Bricks and Stones
The Ramappa Temple bricks are light weighted and it will flow in the water.
If we hit the stones and pillars we can hear the music
Every pillarhave sculpture figures drawn from Hindu mythology.
The Temple Grabalayam (Roof) was built by Light weighted bricks and it will flow in the water.
The Main temple other sides there are two small shiva shrines.
The Nandi is facing the shrine of shiva.
Most of the lord shiva temples the Nandi will be in straight but the temples built by kakatiya dynasty the nandi is in alert position and waiting for the order of shiva.
The complete area covered of temple was 25 acres, 5 acres for temple, and 20 acres for the garden for decorate.
Tourist Attraction Near Ramappa Temple Warangal
Thousand pillar temple
A fine specimen of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture. It was built by Rudra Deva in 1163 AD in the style of Chalukyan temples, star shaped and triple shrined. One thousand as the name implies has many pillars and richly carved pillars, perforated screens, exquisite icons, rock cut elephants and the monolithic black basalt Nandi will take you back down the ages andhas a lovely polished finish. The temple is a fine specimen of architecture and sculpture with richly carved pillars, perforated screens, exquisite icons, rock-cut elephants, etc.
Warangal Fort
Warangal fort is 12-km from Hanamakonda, built by King Ganapathi in 13th century and completed by his daughter Rudrama, Warangal Fort showcases the pride and power of the famous Telugu dynasty, the Kakatiyas,in 1261 A.D., the fort has two walls, with the traces of the third. The fort has 45 towers and pillars spread over a radius of 19 km, and a temple of Mother Earth called 'Swayambhudevi Alayam' in the middle.The Warangal Fort was a huge construction with three distinct circular strongholds surrounded by a moat. Four paths with decorative gateways, set according to the cardinal points, lead to the center where a huge Shiva Temple once existed. The gateway is still obviuous but much of the temple is in ruins. Places of interest in the fort are a temple, and four thoranas or gateways, similar to those of Sanchi and several exquisite pieces of sculpture can be seen.
BhadaraKali Temple
Situated on a hill top between Hanamkonda and Warangal , it is noted for its stone image of the Goddess Kali, here shown in a sitting posture. The 2.7 metre tall stone image of the deity is the main attraction. This temple too is built in the Chalukyan style of temple architecture. She is depicted with eight arms and carries a weapon in each hand. The head of the idol is adorned by a crown.
History
Prola Raja of the Kakatiya dynasty founded the place in the 12th century AD, but some identify it with Worakalli, the capital of the Adeva Rajas of Tuluva Andhra or Telengana in the 8th century AD. Warangal or Varankal is believed to be the Korun Kula of Ptolemy, while another name is Akshalinagar, evidently Yeksilanagar mentioned by Raghunath Bhaskar in his Aravachan Kosh. The ancient name of Warangal was known to be Orugallu or Omtikonda on account of huge boulder like hillock situated near the swayambhu Siva Temple and is also called "EKASILANAGARAM". In course of time, it was called as "Orugallu", and finally known as Warangal . Some of his exquisite images pertain to the Thousand Pillar Temple of Hanamkonda, built in 1162 by the Chalukya Kings. Built from blocks of granite, this ancient Dravidian temple is adorned by intricately carved pillars of various dimensions, perfect in symmetry and style. Even more impressive is the Ramappa temple at Palampet on the banks of a lake. The pillars and ceilings depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Places To see Near Ramappa Temple Warangal
Musical Garden , Padmakshi Temple, Ghanpur temples and Eturnagaram Sanctuary.
Pakhal
50km from Warangal , is situated amidst undulating forest- clad hills and dales Pakhal Lake, is one of the best picnic spots in the state, was completed around 1213 AD by the Kakatiya dynasty. The lake was constructed from the waters of one of the tributaries of the Krishna River. Pakhal wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 90 acresaround the lake. Its dense forest shelter tiger, leopard animals and a wide of birds. The best season to visit Pakhal is October- March.
Eturnagaram Sanctuary
This large sanctuary covers 812 sq. km. of dry deciduous mixed forests and is home to the tiger, leopard, sloth bear, nilgai, chousingha (four horned antelope), chinkara (mountain gazelle), black buck and many birds species. The area is mostly plain with some hilly terrain at altitude ranging from 200-450 metres with many streams and springs. It has teak and other trees of good quality standing 60 feet and above.
Sri Veeranarayana Temple
The temple is constructed in the Chalukyan style around 1104 AD. The appearance of the temple indicates that it was originally a Jain temple converted into a Vaishnava shrine.
Yadagirigutta
Yadagirigutta 88km from Warangal and 69km. from Hyderabad, is known for the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple.
Ramappa Temple Timings
Best time to visit: The best time to visit the city and the temple is between the months of October and April.
Timings: The temple remains open from 6:00 am till 6:00 pm.
Today Ramappa Temple
The temple had remained intact even after repeated wars, plunder and destruction during wars 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) has taken charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the temple is ruined.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the city and the temple is between the months of October and April.
Trivia
Ramappa Temple celebrates the festival of Shivaratri with great fervour and is thronged by thousands of devotees then.
How to Reach Ramappa Temple :
Ramappa temple is located in Palampet, Venkatapur mandal which is 19 km far from Mulugu Mandal (50 km off Warangal Town).
It is 6 km away from kotagulla where another shiva temple located.
From Warangal District 77 kms,
From Hyderabad it has 157 kms.
There are no train routes to reach temple directly. Near Railway stations are Hanamakonda and Warangal
After reaching Hanamakonda or Warangal Stand so many buses are there to travel Ramappa Temple.
Orientation:
The only place to stay in Palampet is Haritha Hotel, Ramappa (Ph.: 0871 5200200, M: 0 99481 00450). Run by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) it is located next to the huge Ramappa Lake, another man – made wonder of the Kakatiyas.
Ramappa Temple can also be covered from Warangal (Haritha Hotel Kaktiya, run by APTDC, Ph: 0870 2562236/37) along with Ghanpur Group of Temples, Cherial (scroll painting) and Laknavaram (lakes and hanging bridges).
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