Ramappa Temple

Located at a distance of about 77 km from Warangal, the small town of Palampet in Andhra Pradesh has made a place for itself among the tourist destinations in Andhra Pradesh. This is primarily because of the temples that are to be found here. These temples are superb examples of the heights reached in the field of art and architecture at the time of the rule of the Kakatiya dynasty. The Ramappa Temple in Palampet is particularly mention worthy because it is an excellent illustration of remarkable Kakatiya art.

The Ramappa Temple has been showered with a lot of praises. It is referred to as the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples in the Deccan”. This phrase speaks volumes about the position of Ramappa Temple amongst the large number of temples that are found in India.

We come to know that the Ramappa Temple was constructed in the year 1213 during the reign of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva from an inscription in the temple itself.

The exquisite sculptures within the temple reflect the admirable sculptural dexterity of the chief craftsman and therefore it is very fitting that the temple itself is named after him. The Ramappa Temple is perhaps the only temple in the whole of India which is named after its sculptor Ramappa.

One will be very surprised to know that the bricks that have been used to build the Ramappa Temple are so light that they can float on water. In spite of that the strength of the bricks should never be undermined for even after the passage of so many years the Ramappa Temple still stands strong.

Three shrines dedicated to Rudreswara, Kateswara and Kameswara are there in the Ramappa Temple but the latter two are in ruins. A shikhara crowns this temple which stands on a 6 ft high platform. There are umpteen beautifully carved pillars at the Ramappa Temple in Palampet, Andhra Pradesh. A nine feet high Nandi Bull greets you just as you enter the temple premises. The walls and ceilings of the Ramappa Temple are also covered with intricate carvings that depict stories from the Puranas and Indian mythology. The Maha Shiv Ratri Festival is celebrated very joyously at the Ramappa Temple and a visit to this temple in Andhra Pradesh will surely leave an imprint on your mind.