UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer Camp-Ramappa, Telangana 2023

Our team member Yoga Rakshitha Dasi was part of UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer Camp. Here is her article about the camp and training that was provided at the camp.

Participants from all corners of India, from Gujarat in the west to Tripura in the east, and from Delhi in the north to Tamil Nadu in the south, have gathered together to learn about the Architecture, Advanced Construction Technology, Heritage Management, and Geo-engineering aspects of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Telangana – the Kakatiya Rudreshwara Temple, famously known Ramappa Temple. This temple has a rich cultural heritage and is of great importance.

This UNESCO World Heritage Volunteer camp at Kakatiya Rudreshwara temple was an initiative of Kakatiya Heritage Trust (based in Warangal) in collaboration with the Archaeological Survey of India, INTACH, ICOMOS, Telangana Tourism and SRI City. The main objective was to promote, explore, and know the significance of the Ramappa temple, and various Kakatiya heritage sites in and around the Warangal region.

The schedule for the 12-day program (2nd October-13th October) includes theory classes and site visits. Distinguished speakers from various professional backgrounds delivered lectures concerning arts, heritage, culture and engineering technologies that were in practice during the Kakatiyan rule. These talks provided insightful details and made the volunteers understand the need to safeguard our heritage.

Ramappa Temple

Rudreshwara Temple is a Shavite temple, constructed during the reign of Kakatiyas, in 1213 AD. The temple took its shape under the direction of Recharla Rudra, the general of the Kakatiyan kingdom. The architectural features include the Stellate or the Star-shaped design, classified under the Vesara-style temple architecture. Sulavai Red Sandstone was the source material used in the temple construction. Dolerite rocks were used to sculpt the intricate depictions of Madanikas and also the inner pillars of the Ranga Mandapa or Natya Mandapa. This exquisite spiritual structure is a rich repository for the representations of Puranic stories, Culture, and the Art forms of those days. These include Perini dance form, Kolatam, Warfare, Fashion and Various dressing styles, etc. There are motifs of Persian and Egyptian persons on the outer walls, which might symbolize the trade connections with the other countries of that period. Famous Italian explorer, Marco Polo was so mesmerized by the beauty of Ramappa that he called it “the brightest star in the galaxy of the Deccan Plateau”. A detailed investigation and analysis done by Dr.Pandu Ranga Rao and other researchers at NIT Warangal, demonstrated the use of the “Sand-box method”, employed by the architects of that time, to provide earthquake resistance to the structure. The Vimana of the main temple Garbhagriha comprises of floating bricks, which have less density and are utilized to reduce the load on the whole structure. 

From the speeches presented by several speakers on Kakatiya rulers administration and town planning, volunteers got to learn about the “T-T-T”, which stands for Town-Tank-Temple. Recharla Rudra also focused on building an artificial water tank near the temple. Three Thousand Million Cubic (TMC) feet of water in Ramappa Lake is channelled to seven mandals for irrigation. There are other activities such as fishing and boating in the lake. 

Perini Dance

Ranjith and the group performed Perini Shivathandava (dance form) in the Ranga Mandapa of temple premises. The word Perini is derived from the Telugu word “Prerana”, which means “Inspiration”. This dance was believed to be performed by the soldiers before the war (during the Kakatiya’s reign), and it is promoted as Telangana’s ancient dance form.

Kota Gullu

On a visit to the Ghanpur group of temples known as Kota Gullu, volunteers got to observe and study the architectural and iconographic similarities between Ramappa and the main temple complex of Ghanpur. Like the main temple of Ramappa, the central temple of Ghanpur has a stellate architecture, fashioned with red sandstone, along with the human motifs of Persian and Jains. The principal deity of the main temple is Shiva. There is a ranga mandapa, and there are sculpted columns of Perini dance on Dolerite rocks, present in the same spot, similar to Ramappa. Along with the main temple, there are about 22 temples.

Warangal Fort

After a stopover at Warangal Fort, one can understand the history and the war conditions that prevailed during the time of Kakatiyas. Currently, the fort lies in ruins with scattered slabs and pillars in the open ground. During the Kakatiyas period, the convention of constructing gopuras was absent. Instead, Kakatiyas built huge Kala Thoranas at the four cardinal directions of the temple. These are called the Kakatiya Kala Thoranas. Thoranas at the Warangal fort are known as Hamsa Thoranas, as there are Swans on both ends. During the Kakatiya rule, Sthapathis constructed Thoranas instead of Gopurams due to Buddhist architectural influence. These marvellous structures are the identity and the official emblem of Telangana state. While travelling towards the Thousand Pillars temple from the Warangal fort, volunteers witnessed the mud and wall fortifications constructed during that time.

Thousand Pillars Temple

Thousand Pillars Temple is magnificent, has three shrines, and is a model of the Trikutalaym style of temple architecture. This three-shrine complex consecrates Lord Shiva, Lord Vishu and Lord Surya. This temple has detailed carvings of elephants and Nandi idols. All volunteers had the chance to meet with Prof. Pandu Ranga Rao, who played a crucial role in restoring the Kalyana mandapa at the temple. Every stone and pillar of the Kalyana mandapa was assigned a number in an order and was disassembled in 2006. Restoration of the entire structure with the original material began with funds from the Archaeological Survey of India. Prof. Pandu Ranga Rao provided inputs stating that the restoration process is expected to be completed by the end of this year. The Kalyana mandapa was rebuilt using the same material through a process known as Anastylosis, which is a heritage conservation technique.
The foundation of the mandapa is secured by an Aseismic design, and it is known as the “Sand-box technology”. Volunteers gained insights about this ancient advanced aseismic technique and the components that were present in the sand mixture, through the lectures delivered by various speakers, and practical field visits to the Ramappa and Thousand Pillars temple.

Bhadrakali Temple

Under the patronage of Chalukyan kings, the renowned Bhadrakali temple was constructed, and the Bhadrakali Lake was built during the reign of Kakatiya ruler, Ganapati Deva.

Pandavula Gutta

Pandavula Gutta is a pre-historic site, with rock shelters and paintings. Volunteers had an adventurous trekking experience and also got a detailed understanding of one of the kinds of Rock-shelters in the Bhupalpally district of Telangana.

Medaram Jatara

In this engaging learning experience, the volunteers gained exposure to the intangible heritage of Telangana. Volunteers visited Medaram and understood the importance of the Medaram Jatara (festival/carnival), which takes place every two years. It is considered to be one of the largest crowd gatherings after Kumbh Mela in India. This tribal festival is celebrated to commemorate the fight of a mother and daughter, Sammakka and Saralamma against injustice faced by the Koya tribes, in terms of forced taxes during the Kakatiya’s rule.

Koya Tribe and Kommu Dance

To gain a better understanding of the Koya tribe’s way of life, culture, and customs, volunteers are taken to Chintalamori, a Koya settlement near Vajedu. One could spot the settlement after a short walk into the forest area from the main road. The Koyas performed their cultural dance, known as the “Kommu dance”, near their settlements. The Koya performers wore a Bison-horn headdress and were also carrying drums. The Koya women also danced, and they also sang some of their cultural songs. Volunteers had joined the Koyas, while they were dancing, and it was a memorable experience.

Learning about the ancient architecture, history, and geo-engineering in Telangana region was a remarkable experience. Their magnificent and massive structures have survived till date. This initiative by the Kakatiya Heritage Trust provides a new perspective on Telangana’s history for the volunteers.