The Rudreswara Temple, popularly known as the Ramappa Temple, located in the Mulugu district of Telangana recently made headlines after being inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. This significant development was a result of the Indian government nominating it as the sole candidate for the UNESCO World Heritage site tag in 2019.
Historical Background and Construction of Rudreswara (Ramappa) Temple
Constructed during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire in 1213 AD, the Rudreswara Temple was a grand project initiated by Recherla Rudra. At the time, Rudra was a general serving under the rule of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. The temple is dedicated to the deity Ramalingeswara Swamy and has gained popularity as the Ramappa Temple, named after the sculptor who executed the temple’s intricate works over a period of 40 years.
Built on a six-foot high star-shaped platform, the architectural marvel showcases stunning carvings across its walls, pillars, and ceilings, exemplifying the exceptional abilities of the Kakatiya sculptors. The temple’s foundation employs the sandbox technique, while its flooring consists of granite, and the pillars are made of basalt. A combination of red sandstone and lightweight bricks that reportedly float on water comprises the lower part of the temple and the white gopuram respectively.
Distinct Features of Rudreswara (Ramappa) Temple
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the temple also holds historical significance, as proven by an inscription dating back to 1135 Samvat-Saka on the eighth day of Magha or 12th January 1214. The unique style of the Kakatiyas in designing gateways for temple complexes, found exclusively in this region, exhibits highly advanced aspects of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India. This distinctive style has captivated not just locals but also European merchants and travelers. One such traveler praised the temple as the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan.”
Understanding the Sandbox Technique
The sandbox technique, which was used in the construction of the temple, involves filling the foundation pit with a mixture of sand-lime, jaggery (for binding), and karakkaya (black myrobalan fruit). The foundation built on these ‘sandboxes’ later served as a protective shield in case of earthquakes, reducing the impact of seismic vibrations by the time they reached the core structure of the building.
Through innovative construction techniques, skillful carvings, and its rich history, the Rudreswara Temple stands out as an exceptional reflection of the Kakatiya Empire’s architectural prowess, rightly earning its position on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.
Source: PIB