Last year on 25 July 2021, "Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a covetous international award which this medieval temple deserves. The UNESCO mentions on its website that, “The building features decorated beams and pillars of carved granite and dolerite with a distinctive and pyramidal Vimana (horizontally stepped tower) made of lightweight porous bricks, so-called ‘floating bricks’, which reduced the weight of the roof structures. The temple’s sculptures of high artistic quality illustrate regional dance customs and Kakatiyan culture.” It was India's 39th world heritage site and the first one from Telengana and the agencies and ASI had been trying very hard to get the world hertigae tag for a pretty long time After 2018-19 they relentlessly worked hard to get the temple on the UNESCO's WHS list.
The artwork, stone brackets and stone carvings inside and outside the walls of the temple are breathtaking. The stone carved mythical animals or female dancers or musicians, and are "the masterpieces of Kakatiya art, notable for their delicate carving, sensuous postures and elongated bodies and heads." The mastery and splendor of innumerable stone carvings reflect on the stretch of imagination of the artisans of past era and they are on par with other heritage sites across the globe.
PM Modiji in the 3rd week of July last year tweeted upon receiving the announcement from UNESCO expressed : “Congratulations to everyone, especially the people of Telangana. The iconic Ramappa Temple showcases the outstanding craftsmanship of the great Kakatiya dynasty. I would urge you all to visit this majestic Temple complex and get a first-hand experience of its grandness.
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| twitter.com/anisha_annamala/status/1419578352000593920 |
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| Rudtheswara temple near Warangal. en.wikipedia.org |
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| basalt rock carved image of a woman in the backeten.wikipedia.org |
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| Ramappa temple, AP en.wikipedia.org |
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| basalt rock carved image of a woman in the backet en.wikipedia.org |
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| Rmappa temple, AP windianexpress.com |
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| Kakatiya kingdom, India en.wikipedia.org |
Above image: Kakatiya kingdom: Between 12th and 14th centuries the Kakatiya dynasty was a powerful kingdom and was a force to recon with. The rulers controlled much of eastern Deccan region comprising present day Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, and parts of eastern Karnataka and southern Odisha. Their capital was Orugallu, now known as Warangal. For more than two centuries. early Kakatiya rulers served as feudatories to Rashtrakutas and Western Chalukyas. Later in 1163 CE under Prataparudra assumed full control. Their land expansion, including the Godavari and Krishna rivers. and the fertile agriculture lands was due to Ganapati Deva (r. 1199–1262), a dynamic ruler. His successor Rudrama Devi (r. 1262–1289) was one of the bravest queens India had ever produced...................
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| Ornate Ramappa temple, AP, twitter.com |
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| nicely stone carved pillar, Ramappa temple, AP.travelog.com |
According to inscription in the temple it was in 1213 Recarla Rudra, a general under Kakatiya Ganapati Deva (reign. 1199–1262) , not only built a magnificent city and a lake nearby to take care potable water needs but also a beautiful Hindu temple dedicated to Rudresvara. Being a good planner and charitable, he endowed lots of landed properties, etc to take care of the temple puja festival protocols, etc.
Ramappa Temple complex with three temples was constructed between 1212 and 1234; its architect was Ramappa, after whom the temple complex is named; only temple in India named after its architect. Presiding deity: Ramalingaswara the hall - mantap close to the garbagriha (sanctum) has numerous ornate pills and are set in a manner they produce a combined effect of space and light.
Built on a high star-shaped platform, this the main part of this mediaeval temple is made of reddish sandstone. whereas the columns round the outer part are replete with fine architectural features such as big image brackets in basaltic rock depicting women dancers in various postures, musicians and mythological animals. They bear testimony to the mastery and workmanship of the artesian of past era and the richness of Kakatiya arts.
The artwork, stone brackets and stone carvings inside and outside the walls of the temple are breathtaking. The stone carved mythical animals or female dancers or musicians are mainly kakatiya features. The mastery and splendor of innumerable stone carvings reflect on the stretch of imagination of the artisans of past era and their ability to cast them in stones with meticulous care; they are on par with other heritage sites across the globe.
This simple looking temple is strewn with countless sculptures and delicate art work, it in a sermon on stone.
