Discuss Salient features of Ramappa Temple, Palampet?

 Kakatiyas- an indigenous Telugu dynasty ruled over the Andhradesa consisting of modern states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from 10th century AD to the first quarter of 14th century AD. The name ‘Kakatiya’ is derived from goddess Kakati- a mother goddess Durga, venerated by the dynasty.

Though the Kakatiyas were influenced by the Chalukya architectural style they added their distinctive features to it. However, an uncanny resemblance can be observed between the architecture of the Kakatiyas and Hoysalas- who were contemporaries of Kakatiyas ruling the neighbouring Kannada speaking region. The architectural legacy of the Kalyana Chalukyas was developed further by both the dynasties simultaneously adding to it their own flavour

Salient features of Kaktiyas Temple architecture :

  1. ∙ Keerthi toranas are a distinct style for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to the Kakatiyas. These toranas of magnificent proportions stand testimony to the highly evolved aesthetics of the Kakatiya temples.
  2. Trikutalayas- conjoined three temples with three separate shrines and antaralas with a common mandapa. A feature carried forward from the Chalukyas. Rarely, Panchakuta shrines were constructed by the Kakatiyas
  3. Tank, Temple and Town policy - Construction of water tanks (water conservation structures) resulting in prosperity of towns. Kakatiyas believed that towns flourished with temples and tanks constructed next to each other.
  4. Adoption of both the North Indian Bhumija style as well as Dravidian style of temple architecture.
  5. Mini shrines on the exterior of a temple with extended base and eaves topped by towered pediments.
  6. Star shaped high plinths for temples
  7. Lathe turned pillars.
  8. Pillars consist of three sections- square, octagonal and circular parts
  9. Perforated screens at the entrance of garbhagriha.
  10. Eaves running all around the circumference of the temple and not just the ardhamandapa
  11. ∙ Simple pyramidal vimanas in stepped pattern. 
  12. Monolithic elephants at the entrance of the temples. 
  13. Subjects of the temple exterior sculptures ranging from dancing postures, sages, various deities, floral motifs, rows of elephants. Sculptures in the temple interior include mythological stories (not only limiting to Saivism even though Kakatiyas were Shaivites and in most cases stuck to constructing temples dedicated to Shiva) and trick sculptures; especially that of a row of dancers showing a set of legs lesser than the number of dancers can be found in most Kakatiya temples
  14. Earthquake resistant ‘Sandbox technology’ for foundation. It basically consisted of at least 3 m deep foundation pit filled with sand mixture with addition of powder mixture of granite, jaggery, Terminalia Chebula (Hirada fruit) to make it further strong. In event of an earthquake, the earthquake vibrations were absorbed by this sandbox cushion and lost their strength.  

Ramappa Temple, Palampet:

Rudreshwara (Ramappa) temple is situated at Palampet, 65 km from Warangal. The Ramappa Temple is probably the only temple in India named after the architect/sculptor who built it. It was built by Recharala Rudra- a commander under King Ganapati Deva, in ekatala style and was consecrated in the year 1213 AD.

This temple is often described as the best architectural masterpiece the Kakatiyas ever created due to its intricate wall carvings, pillars and ceiling. Ramappa temple consists of a garbhagriha, antarala and a mahamandapa in the main structure. A ruined nandi mandapa with a totally intact Nandi idol sits in front of the temple. Nandi here has his head slightly tilted and is shown in an alert position as if waiting for order from lord Shiva. Few other smaller structures exist in the complex including shrines of Katesvara and Kamesvara.

This temple, like the other Kakatiya temple stands on a 3 m high star shaped platform (upapitha). Its Mukhamandapa has entrances on 3 sides all of which are flanked by monolithic elephant sculptures. Its ornate adhisthana as well as walled portion of mukha mandapa has figures of sages, lovemaking couples, warriors, acrobats, musicians and various gods and goddesses on a continuous frieze. Above and below this frieze is row of flower motifs. Below the lower frieze of floral motifs is a row of elephants throughout the running circumference of the temple where every elephant is involved in a different activity. No two elephants are similar

Inside, there is a large nrityamandapa in front of the garbhagriha and is supported by 4 large stone pillars. Each pillar is intricately carved. The pillars flank a large circular stone slab where temple dance performances used to take place. 

Another distinct feature of the temple is that the garbhagriha is protected by Dwarpalikas instead of dwarapals. The perforated screen above these dwarpalikas show various artists performing dances and musical instruments.

The sculptural work of dance postures in the temple appears like frozen record of dances of the region in stone. The postures pertaining to Bharata Natyam, Shrunga, Bharunga, Rathi, Perini Nritya, etc. are engraved on the pillars and beams of Mukha Mandapa. Many mythological events like ‘Gopika Vastrapaharan, Tripurasur vadha, Daksha Samhara, Samudramanthana, Girija Kalyanam, etc are represented in the highest standards of Kakatiya sculptural art. 

The narthakis (dancers)- known as madanikas are arranged as supporting brackets of 2 on both sides of each of the three entrances- a total of 12. Rest of the brackets in the temple have yalis on them. The aesthetic sense which scaled innumerable heights in Kakatiya sculpture is clearly evident in the dance postures of these 12 madanikas.  

Most unusual set of carved images at Ramappa temple are however the many erotic scenes present on its exterior and interior walls. One such sculpture shows a lady untying her clothes, lifting up her skirt showing her genitals. Similar to this, there are also images of sages where they are shown removing their undergarments and exposing their genital organs. Salabhanjika- another standard sculptural feature of the Hindu temple (dating back to Sanchi stupa where it is shown as a bracket figurine in one of its toranas) is carved on door jambs of antarala and garbhagriha

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