Kakatiya Ramappa Temple World Heritage Site UPSC
Source : PIB
Indian Heritage and Culture

What is discussed under Kakatiya Ramappa Temple World Heritage Site UPSC?

1. About the inclusion
2. Rudreswara or Ramappa Temple Art
3. About Kakatiya

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Why in News ?

It is also known as the Ramappa temple.

India’s nomination of Rudreswara Temple, (also known as the Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Mulugu district, near Warangal in the state of Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

Key Facts

• The decision was taken at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO today.
• Ramappa temple, a 13th century engineering marvel named after its architect, Ramappa, was proposed by the government as its only nomination for the UNESCO World Heritage site tag for the year 2019.
• The iconic Ramappa Temple showcases the outstanding craftsmanship of great Kakatiya dynasty.

Ramappa Temple (Rudreswara Temple)

• The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva.
• The presiding deity here is Ramalingeswara Swamy.
• It is also known as the Ramappa temple after the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years.

Art and Architecture

• The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor.
• The temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.
• The foundation is built with the “sandbox technique”, the flooring is granite and the pillars are basalt.
• The sculptural art and decoration specific to the time and Kakatiyan Empire have an outstanding universal value.
• The distinct style of Kakatiyas for the gateways to temple complexes, unique only to this region confirm the highly evolved proportions of aesthetics in temple and town gateways in South India.
• European merchants and travelers were mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and one such traveler had remarked that the temple was the brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan.
• The main structure is in a reddish sandstone, but the columns round the outside have large brackets of black basalt which is rich in iron, magnesium and silica.

What is Sandbox Technique?

• Kakatiya dynasty-era ‘sandbox’ technique of laying foundation to make a building earthquake-resistant.
• The two temples, which have stood as a testament to the success of that method for hundreds of years, are currently undisturbed by seismic activity.
• Before the structures were built on these sandboxes, the foundation hole was filled with a mixture of sand, lime, jaggery (for binding), and karakkaya (black myrobalan fruit).
• A cushion effect is provided in case of earthquakes by the sandbox in the foundation.
• When earthquake vibrations reach the building’s real foundation, they become weaker after travelling through the sand.
• Sandbox foundation installation will be easier and more affordable because it will be a naturally occurring resource.

Limitations of Sandbox : It can be used to produce shear-predominant structures, which are the most frequent type of buildings in India, however it cannot be utilised to build towering buildings like skyscrapers.

About Kakatiya

• The 12th and 13th centuries saw the emergence of the Kakatiyas
• They were the first feudatories of the Western Chalukyas of Kalyana, ruling over a small territory near Warangal.
• The rule of Kakatiya Dynasty is considered to be in the region Telugu & Andhra Pradesh.
• Ganapati was another king who came after Mahadeva who has made extension to Coastal regions.
• Ganapathi Deva and Rudrama Devi are the prominent among the rulers.
• As a result of the expansion policy of Delhi Sultanate under Alauddin Khalji leads the decline of the Dynasty. 

Indian World Heritage Sites

• Agra Fort
• Ajanta Caves
• Ellora Caves
• Taj Mahal
• Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram
• Sun Temple, Konârak
• Kaziranga National Park
• Keoladeo National Park
• Manas Wildlife Sanctuary
• Churches and Convents of Goa
• Fatehpur Sikri
• Group of Monuments at Hampi
• Khajuraho Group of Monuments
• Elephanta Caves
• Great Living Chola Temples 13
• Group of Monuments at Pattadakal
• Sundarbans National Park
• Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks
• Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi
• Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi
• Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi
• Mountain Railways of India
• Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
• Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka
• Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus)
• Red Fort Complex
• The Jantar Mantar, Jaipur
• Western Ghats
• Hill Forts of Rajasthan
• Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
• Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat
• Archaeological Site of Nalanda Mahavihara at Nalanda, Bihar
• Khangchendzonga National Park
• The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement
• Historic City of Ahmadabad
• Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
• Jaipur City, Rajasthan
• Kakatiya Rudreshwara (Ramappa) Temple, Telangana

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