Travel Guide
Ramappa temple is situated in Palampet village of Warangal district.
By Road
Palampet is around 77Km from Warangal. Tourists coming from Warangal direction has to take the NH 202 road towards Mulugu. Take a diversion towards left after travelling 5Km from Mulugu. Palampet is another 7Km from there.
Palampet is around 115Km from Karimnagar. It can be reached via Huzurabad/Parkal bypassing Warangal. Tourists have to take the Karimnagar-Warangal state Highway till Huzurabad(40Km from Karimnagar) and take left towards Parkal(40Km from Huzurabad). Follow the Bhoopalapally-Parkal road till Gandhinagar village(20Km from Parkal) and take a right. Palampet is another 14Km from there. The famous Ghanpur Temples and Lake are on the way in this route.
By Rail
Nearest railway station is Kazipet/Warangal. This is a major railway junction. All important trains have a stop here.
Profile
Ramappa temple is one the beautiful temples of Kakatiya period built by 'Recherla Rudra', A general of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. This historical temple was built in 1213 A.D and attracts tourists from India and abroad as it is known for its architectural and sculptural beauty. The sculptures were encraved according to the postures mentioned by Jayapa Senani in his famous work 'Nruthya Ratnavali'. The postures pertaining to Bharata Natya, Shrunga, Bharunga, Rathi, Perini Nritya etc., are encraved on the pillars and top-beams of 'Mukha Mandapam', The mythological episodes such as 'Gopika Vastrapaharanam, Tripura samharm, Daksha Samharam, Ksheera Sagara Madhanam, Girija Kalyanam etc., stand for the highest standards of Kakatiya Sculpture. The 'Nagini' and other eleven devanarthakis are arranged as supporting beams on both sides of each entrance. The aesthetic sense which scaled innumerable heights in Kakatiya sculpture is clearly evident in these twelve postures of deva narthakis.
The temple stands on a raised platform with the Garbhagriha, Antarala and Maha Mandapa with lateral porched entrances on three sides. The main entrance faces east. The Garbhagriha contains a black basalt linga(dedicated to 'Ramalingeswara Swamy', an incarnation of Lord Siva) installed on a high pedestal. Inside over the ceiling of the central Ankana, one finds a magnificient display of sculptures depicting scenes from Ramayana, Siva Purana and other mythological narratives. The striking peculiarity the building lies in the arrangement of bracker figures above the kakshasana level decorated with Slender, graceful Madanikas, Naginis etc. in different poses. The other important units in the prakara are an imposing Nandi Mandapa, Kameshwara and Kateshwara shrines.
Kateshwaralaya
This temple is in the same premises of Ramappa Temple and believed to be of 13th centurt A.D. The temple stands on a raised platform with GarbhaGriha, Antarala, Mandapa and approached by a flight of steps from east. A partly preserved brick super structure surmounts the GarbhaGriha. A Kakshasana runs along with the Mandapa on which cells are designed for keeping images. The walls are treated into broad and narrow pilasters seperated by shallow recesses. This temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and is another example of Kakatiya's architectural and sculptural prowess
Ramappa Lake
The Lake is situated about 1 Km away from Ramappa temple.
Ramappa Lake is a magnificient example of irrigation work of Kakatiya Rulers constructed in 13- Century A.D. during Ganapathi Deva's time. Its water is spread over an area of more than 82 Sq.Kms with lush greenery all around. The lake is over looked by beautiful hill ranges in the background providing a spectacular view especially at Sunset time. It is an excellent place for lovers of picnic and one can simply come here and relax under the shade of sprawling trees or walk around appreciating the beauty of nature or have a fascinating boat ride through lovely blue water.
