India’s Only Nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site – The 800-Years-Old Ramappa Temple!

Capturing the beauty and grandeur of the erstwhile Kakatiya dynasty, Ramappa Temple is an architectural masterpiece, well-tucked in Warangal, present-day Telengana. And, it holds the distinction of being India’s only nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019!

But what makes this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, so special? Let’s dig deeper...

Named after the craftsman, Ramappa, it is perhaps the only Indian temple to be named after a sculptor! Built under the supervision of General Recherla Rudra in 1213 A.D. during the time of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva, this star-shaped temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Depicting a classical style of architecture, the temple has three main parts – a garbagriha, an antarala and a maha mandapam. With the garbagriha raised on a higher platform than the other structures, the surfaces are decorated with intricate motifs and art-works. The temple boasts of lavish pillar carvings – depicting stunningly detailed dancing figures. In fact, it is said that the details are so intricate, that it allowed the revival of the Perini Shivatandavam – a lost dance drama, by Nataraja Ramakrishna!

Oh! And since the temple is under the administration of The Archaeological Survey of India, the nearby areas have been developed with restaurants and cottages overlooking the lake, to boost tourism.

#MMTQuickFacts: How it came to be considered for the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site honour

• The bricks used in the construction of the temple are one-of-a-kind – they can float on water!
• The pillars in the temple depict mythological stories and are musical – yes, you can hear musical sounds if you hit the pillars! Interesting, right?!
• The temple is resistant to earthquakes and natural calamities, since it was made using the sand-box technology. With a three feet foundation dug out and filled with sand mixed with granite, jaggery and other materials, the temple withstood the test of time. Even though cracks have appeared in the beams, the foundation still stands strong.
• Made of soft dolomite rocks, it is said that the stones are so intricate that a strand of hair can pass right through!
• The statue of Nandi located at the entrance of the temple, remains intact after all these centuries.
• The temple is perched on the shores of a man-made water-body named Ramappa Lake – an architectural genius of the Kakatiyas, which still aides in irrigation of the nearby areas.

Location: About 1.5 hours from Warangal in Palampet village.

Entry timings: 6:00AM to 6:00PM

Nearest metro: Hyderabad

Read More: The Most Bizarre Temples in India

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