Thread by @rasu667

Ramappa temple - Warangal

#WalkToTemple
#IndianHeritage
#BharatiyaVastukala

Ramappa temple, also called Ramalingeshwara temple is located in Palampet, 76km from Warangal. It was completed in 1213 CE during time of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva & built by General Recharla Rudra.

The main structure is in reddish sandstone and it has brackets of black basalt. It stands on a 6" high star shaped platform.
It is the only temple that is named after its sculptor.

On entering the compound we see a smaller shivalay called Kateshwara gudi is in ruined state.

Inside Nandi and carvings are all damaged.
Yet it must have been beautiful at one time.
Bricks of Ramappa temple float on water, which is unique.

There is a small Mandapam which has a big Sila sasanam in black stone. Script is Telugu Kannada lipi & gives details about gudi, Ganapati Deva, Recharla Rudra s lineage, his bravery, conquest & tells those who takes care of gudi will prosper & those who occupy lands will suffer.

Recharla Rudra built the temple & the lake which is called the Ramappa lake which has been a major source of water for usage and agriculture.
Entering the gudi we can c Ranga mandapam. Though the floor on either side of Mandapam is uneven which was damaged in earthquake during +

+17th century, floor of the Mandapam doesn't have damage.
The 4 pillars are fantastic.
Each pillar has different types of design. Square flat shape at bottom, then 2 layers of round shape with intricate carvings, again square shape with carvings, then the top part is mix of both

The shivalinga in the garbalaya is huge. Throughout the day sunlight falls on it bcs of the reflection of sun on the smooth lower part of the 4 pillars is directed towards it.

The intricate sculpture makes us spellbound. Lots of dance & music is depicted.

1st pic has kolatam dancers in precision below, above is scene of Gopika vastraharan by Krishna.

Notice the design in 1st pic. The 3 dancers in between have 4 legs. They are carved in such a way that side dancers look as if the legs are theirs, but if you close their bodies it looks as if the legs belong to the middle dancer.

The beautiful pillars.

Right side of dwaram to antarala.
Bottom we have women welcoming with mango thoranams.
In 2nd pic, the couple with a sword, in the middle of the pillar are Recharla Rudra & his wife.
Latticed sides on both sides are beautifully carved with musicians & dancers.

'Perini Shivatandavam' a dance form popular during the Kakatiya time was lost through time. Known as a warrior dance, it finds mention in Nritta Ratnavali.
Dr. Nataraja Ramakrishna studied the book and the sculpture of Ramappa temple & revived the lost dance form of Perini.

Panel on ceiling.
1st. Shiva as Veerabhadra in the center while various Devas with their vahanas on either side of him.

2nd, Shiva coming out of Gajasura's stomach & Devas witnessing it.

1st pic is Tripurantaka
3rd pic u can see intricate carvings of ceiling on many levels, with stories of many puranas carved.
Shiva kalyanam, narakasura samharam & many more are carved.
I couldn't take pics of everything. There is so much, but taking pics of ceiling is difficult

Coming out we can see carvings of beautiful women.
Joining the pillars and ceiling are brackets of black stone.
We see many Gaja & Simhas. The Simhas standing on the Gajas & a man in between the Simhas legs.

Coming to the famous Madanikas or Salabhanjikas.
Pic 2 Nagini, the Madanika adorned with snakes.
3 Ragini, the high heeled beauty. Notice the gap between the footwear & foot.
4 Madanika is holding a bow in a relaxed pose. Notice her feet. You can c the way her big toe is apart.

1 Nartaki in dance mudra
2 Madanika standing on one foot. Her heel and knees finely carved. We can see the shadow of her chain falling below on her stomach.
3 Nartaki with a smile. The hand mudras & delicate fingers with nails also clearly carved.
4 Graceful though damaged

1 Monkey pulling the saree & she angrily raising her hand to beat the monkey.
2 Nartaki
3 Nartaki
4 Tribal beauty among trees with birds. An attendant removing thorn from her feet.

Ganeshji
Nandi in the Nandi Mandapam.
Splendid, huge and Majestic.

Walls are carved in 4 rows.
Elephants down, on top flowers.
Then various dancers, musicians, god's.
Again flowers.
Totally 526 elephants are around the temple.

Gajas, Makaras, Simhas.
Warriors too.

Notice the second person in the 1st pic. Very different. Jain sculpture is there at some places.
Beautiful architecture.

After the fall of the Kakatiyas, for 600 years, this area was deserted and turned into a forest. The temple also was not in use.
In the early 1900s, the

Asif Jahi rulers & their relatives came to hunt & noticed the temple & lake. They developed it to some extent.
The area was developed to some extent by 1911. Then some affluent people gave some land to the temple & nitya Pooja started again.

Ramappa temple, pride of the Kakatiyas which is a jewel of our country.
A must visit.

Ramappa garu. Dhanyavaadalu.
Recherla Rudrayya, Dhanyavaadalu.
🙏🙏🙏