Earthquake-proof architecture, Floating Bricks – Amazing Ramappa Temples
The Ramappa group of temples , which were constructed in 1213 CE, was commissioned by Recharla Rudra, who was the army head under king Ganapatideva of the Kakatiya dynasty. The temples were built around a large artificial lake, which was constructed to serve as water resources for irrigation. The Kakatiyas were well known for building many such tanks, which changed vast areas of their arid kingdom (modern Telangana and Andhra Pradesh) into fertile tracts, thus showing administrative ingenuity and governing skills of this dynasty. This complex shows another unusual feature: it is named after the main architect Ramappa Stapathi and is among the rare monuments that honor its designer. The temple complex consists of Rudreswara temple (dedicated to Shiva) which is the main temple and survives wholly; a damaged Nandi mandapa; two subsidiary temples Kateswara (partly damaged) and Kameswara (in ruins), an inscription pillar, and a Dharamsala. A Prakara or wall runs around the entire ...