Ramappa Temple

Ramappa Temple is a 13th-century engineering marvel, named after its architect – Ramappa. The Ramappa Temple showcases the outstanding craftsmanship of the great Kakatiya dynasty.

Latest Update: Ramappa Temple also known as the Rudreswara Temple (built by Kakatiyas) of Telangana has been selected as a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

India now has 40 sites on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is now the custodian of 23 world heritage sites. The 40th and the most recent addition to the list is Dholavira.

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About Ramappa Temple

•  Ramappa Temple is also known as Ramalingeswara Temple. It is located in the village of Palampet in Telangana. (Source: telanganatourism.gov.in)
• It is a walled complex built around 1213 AD. during the Kakatiya period by a Kakatiya general Recharla Rudra under Ganapati Deva.
• The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, where Lord Ramalingeswara is worshipped.
• Features of the temple:
  • The structure is of the pyramidal type, consisting of four storeys
  • Decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite
  • Distinctive and pyramidal Vimana (horizontally stepped tower) made of lightweight porous bricks called floating bricks that reduced the weight of the roof structures.
  • The temple’s sculptures are of high artistic quality and illustrate regional dance customs and the culture of Kakatiyas.
• The temple is known for the bracket figures which spring from outer pillars and are shown as supporting the roof projections.
• The temple falls under the protection of the Kakatiya Heritage Trust (KHT), which has been pushing it for the World Heritage tag since 2012.

Source: Telangana Tourism

Cultural and Religious Conditions of Kakatiyas

• Kakatiyas started their political career in southern India when Jainism was enjoying royal patronage under Rashtrakutas and Chalukyas.
• The early members of the Kakatiya dynasty were believed to have been Jains of the Digambara sect and built the famous Padmakshi Temple at Hanmakonda(Telangana).
• Later Shivism gained popularity during the Kakatiyan period.
• The Veerashivism founded by Basaveswara entered the Telugu-speaking region of Andhradesa during the era of Kakatiyas.
• The teachers of Veerashivism were called Jangams; their religious texts were called Agams and their followers were called Lingayaths.

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UNESCO also maintains a list of World Heritage Sites in Danger. For more on the same, click on the link.

Art and Architecture of Kakatiya kingdom

• Kakatiya rulers built many Jain, Shiva and Vaishnava temples.
• They followed the architecture of their earlier rulers (western Chalukyas) in the construction of temples.
• Smooth decorated pillars, pointed roofs, Torana sculptures and statues of dancing ladies were part of Chalukyas tradition.
• The Thousand Pillared Temple at Hanmakonda built during this period is a fine example of Kakatiya architecture.
• Another example of architectural prowess is the Ramappa Temple. Ramappa Temple represents the climax of the Kakatiyan style.
• Kakatiya rulers also patronised music, dance, painting and other art forms.
• Jayapa Senani an Army general of Ganapati Deva wrote ‘Nritya Ratnavali’.

Ramappa Temple (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – UPSC Notes:-Download PDF Here

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