Recently UNESCO certified the Rudreshwara Ramappa
Temple in Telangana as a world heritage site. Built in the 13th century
in Palampet, on the outskirts of the city of Warangal, the Ramappa
Temple is one of the finest examples of the Kakatiya architectural
heritage. Inscriptions date the temple to 1213 AD built by a general
Racherla Rudra Reddy under the reign of King Ganapati Deva. The inner
sanctum is dedicated to Lord Shiva while there are several smaller
shrines around the temple complex. Some of the best preserved sculptures
of dance can be found in this temple. It was in the Kakatiya kingdom
that Jayappa Senapati authored the famous 'Nritta Ratnavali', a
comprehensive treatise on classical dance. The exquisite dance
sculptures in different parts of the temple complex tell us about the
thriving culture of patronage towards dance in the Kakatiya kingdom.
- Veejay Sai
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