|
|
|
| Ramappa Temple |
|
| | | |
History
Ramappa Temple, also known as the Ramalingeswara Temple, is located 77 km from Warangal, which served as the ancient capital of the Kakatiya Empire, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is situated in a valley at the now forgotten Palampet village of Venkatapur Mandal, in the Mulug Taluq of Warangal district. An inscription dated to the year 1213 serves proof of the temple having been constructed by a General Recherla Rudra, during the reign of the Ganapati Deva.
The temple is a place of Shiva worship or Shivalaya, and gets its name from the sculptor Ramappa, a Vishwakarma Brahmin Sthapathi of Karnataka State, who built the Shiva’s statue to supersede the preceding deity, Ramalingeswara, and highlight the importance of Shiva as the personal god of the Avatar of Vishnu, Rama. The temple houses a Shivalinga that is over 9 feet tall. According to history, it took over 40 years to construct the temple. The architecture of the temple is a marvellous example of Kakatiya, with the temple designed to be elevated above its surroundings on a high star-shaped platform. The walls of the temple are adorned by carvings that are also found on the pillars and ceilings. Prominent among these are the sculptures of Hindu mythology that cover the temple from its base all the way to its wall panels and ceiling. The roof of the temple is built with ultra light bricks, light enough to float on water.
The hall is characterised by exquisite carved pillars that combine light and space so as to complement the well-defined walls and ceiling. Two other smaller Shiva shrines can also be found on either side of the main temple, although both are in ruins. The Nandi inside the temple appears to be alert, ready to follow the order of the lord, and has survived the test of time. The entire temple is spread over an area of 5 acres.
|
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.
|
Timing
The temple remains open from 6:00 am till 6:00 pm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Tools
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |