Ramappa Temple, Palmpet, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh

Gem of Kakatiya Architecture

See also: FAM (familiarization) tour of Hyderabad and Warangal

12 Dancing Girls (Mnadkinis) Sculptures of Ramappa temple, Palampet, Warangal

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.

Ramappa Temple, Palampet, Warangal

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.

Ramappa Temple, Interior

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,

Elephant Sculptures, Ramappa Temple

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.

Erotic Sculptures, Ramarappa Temple

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!!!!

Yalli Brackets, Ramappa Temple

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.

Nandi Bull, Ramappa Temple

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.

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).

Panoramic view of Ramarappa Temple Complex, Palampet, Warangal

Special Thanks:

This trip was part of a FAM (familirazation) tour of Hyderabad and Warangal conducted by Andhra Paradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC). Special thanks to:

• Kalyani, Consultant Sales and Marketing, APTDC
• Dr. P. Jogi Naidu, Dy. Director (Retd.), Archeology and Museums, AP
• Kiran Mehata and Sunil Vidayanatahn my fellow FAM tour participant
• Santosh our driver
• Haritah Hotels
• All the staff of APTDC

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