Sri Rama Chandra Swamy Temple at Ammapalli, which is 30 km from Hyderabad and 5 km from Shamshabad Bus Stop, is a very old temple that frequently appears in movies. Additionally, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hyderabad. The Rama temple was built in the 13th century by Vengi monarchs, although the idol was much older. Fans of Telugu movies are quite fond of the enormous seven-story tower that adorns the shrine. Over the tower’s entrance is a massive painting of Lord Vishnu in the position of sleep.
The large temple is located after the tower and is surrounded by a huge passageway. Rama, Sita, and Laxmana’s idols, as well as their Makara Thoranam, are exquisitely carved from a single black rock. In the garbhagriha, Anjaneya, who typically follows Lord Rama, is not observed. Instead, the Anjaneya Swamy statue is placed next to the Dwaja Sthambam, facing Sri Rama. There is a sizable, historically significant temple pond. The porticos that surround the pond previously served as the travelers’ refuge. There are many coconut trees all around the pond. The mandapa is located across from the shrine. The Tollywood film industry values Ammapalli Temple and believes that with Sri Sita Rama Swamy’s blessings, movies shot there will be successful. Every year, this temple celebrates Sri Rama Navami with tremendous fervor.
Learn more about this stunning Indian temple from the past.
History of Ammapalli Temple
During the Vengi Chalukyas dynasty, this temple was built in the eleventh century. This magnificent structure has 250 acres of space. The 90-foot Gali Gopuram has seven stories. This gopuram’s inscriptions feature images of Lord Vishnu, Rama, and Dasavathara. Two enormous temple tanks are on the south and east sides of the temple. It is a monolithic idol dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. There is no Hanuma Idol at the Garbha Gruha since it is said that Lord Rama and Lakshmana arrived at this location before encountering Hanuma. 4 feet tall is Shree Rama Idol. This temple is located 6 kilometers from Shamshabad. This Temple’s exterior design was built by Muslim tyrants.
On Sri Rama Navami, Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam will be observed. For Edurkolu and Kalyanam, separate Mantaps were built. In 2010, UNESCO designated this temple as a world-historic site. At Vanavasa, Sri Rama has taken refuge here. Hanuman wasn’t introduced to Sri Rama till then, thus he was given the name Kodanda Rama.
The Chalukyas built the temple. The 90-foot Gopuram, a 7-star tower, is the main draw. A single, black stone sculpture of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana with a Makara thoranam is one of only six idols in all of India and is uncommon. At Dwajasthaba, Anjaneya’s idol is situated next to Garuda. It serves as the inspiration behind Hyderabad’s Charminar. Sita, Lakshmana, and Aranyakanda Sri Rama spent 14 years living in the bush. They set off from Ayodhya and traveled through jungles in a southward direction in India. They arrived in this location, known as Dandakaranya. Here, Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana slept for the night. Consequently, a temple was built to serve as a reminder of the precious region that Sri Rama sensed beneath his feet. The temple was constructed during the Chalukyas’ rule, which lasted from the seventh through the eleventh centuries.
Interesting details regarding Ammapalli Temple
The town of Ammapalli is so named because Sita Maa is a famous deity there. The temple is almost 1000 years old. The temple dates back to the Chalukya era.
70 ft A notable draw in this area is Gali Gopuram. This seven-story structure is constructed of baked bricks, limestone, and stucco. It served as inspiration for the construction of the 15th-century Nizam’s Charminar.
A single boulder holding three idols and a “Makara thoranam” arch makes this place special. Lord Vishnu has taken ten different forms in this arch. This kind of stone carving dates to the eleventh century. There are just two of these idols in India. in the Ryali-Jaganmohana and Ammapalli temples. We are mesmerized by the Lord Vishnu idol on the temple arch.
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Later examples of Rajasthani architecture include the Gali gopuram, the water tank, and Nagara’s strolling style. Finding north Indian architecture in South Indian temples is unique.
At the main temple’s entrance is Koorma (the turtle incarnation), which is uncommon and grants the shrine exceptional power for redemption.
Why is the Lord Hanuman statue located across from the main temple where Lord Rama resides? Hanuman was not present when Lord Rama, Seeta, and Lakshmana arrived here. They traveled to Panchavati and met Hanuman there.
In keeping with these circumstances, a statue was built close to Dwajasthambham. Because he is holding a bow, Lord Rama is called Kodanda Rama in this instance. Kodanda Rama was the name of Rama before Hanuman met him.
In movies, Ammapalli Temple
Over a thousand Telugu television shows and films have featured scenes from the Ammapalli Rama Temple. This temple was named “Murari movie temple” and “Cinema Gudi” after the wildly popular Murari movie. There is a presumption among directors that, even if only a brief portion of their movie gets captured here, it will guarantee them a huge box office success. movies shot here include Murari and Maryada Ramanna. Many Tollywood films are about this temple. It is said that taking a recording at this shrine is lucky.
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Despite being located 15 kilometers from the constantly busy Shamshabad airport, this Kakatiya-rooted temple transports you to another realm that is far apart from the bustle of a city. At Ammapally in Nakhoda, Sri Sita Ramachandra Swamy Devasthanam may be over 800 years old. The impact of Kakatiya is tracked via bastions and ramparts. Your breath will be taken away by the gali gopuram’s intricate filigree work and Rajasthani pinch. Dances are performed on a big stepwell that dried out as indiscriminate hierarchies arose nearby. Even while amazing, there is still room for improvement.
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This wonder features Rajasthani jarokhas with images dressed in Rajasthani attire. A lion and a peacock are depicted on the Kakatiyan wall that surrounds the shrine. The temple thus features Kakatiyan and Persian artwork. Without the gopuram, it would appear more like a mosque from a distance, with only the ramparts and the bastions standing out. The temple’s individualism creates elsewhere. Despite being a Ram temple, the temple sanctum does not contain a Hanuman idol.
A second beautiful gopuram can be found inside the temple. It features a number of stories depicted on it, like the Ksheerasagara Madana, Gajendra Moksham, Vatapatra Sai, Venkateshwara Kalyanam, etc. All of these are magnificent since the original pattern has been preserved and covered in dagu chunam or limestone. For the sake of preserving its original beauty and age, the temple building has not been altered. It should come as no surprise that the temple won an INTACH Award in 2010 for religious architecture.
Present Day Situation
There are some adjustments. The sanctum sanctorum has been covered in tiles because rats infested the inside walls. Without interfering with the earlier structure, this has been accomplished with great complexity. People make a wish by wrapping their worries and unmet desires in a crimson cloth with a coconut inside before reaching out to make a wish. All of these aspirations and wants of the people are carried by the pogadu chettu (Mimusops elengi), which emits its perfume. A common sight in many temples, red bundles sway over a modest temple as a soft breeze touches the tree. When the wish is granted, people come and unburden the tree, but many items are left dangling precariously from the tree. There is a Parijata bush that provides flowers for the daily pujas and emits its unique perfume as you unintentionally step on the fallen ones. On the day of Punarvasu Nakshatra, which is the birth star of Lord Rama, Masa Kalyanotsavam will be observed.
With a sizable parking place for the Latham, which is used to transport the gods across the cities during the festival, the mandapam and the entryway are intact in their original configurations. The owners of the temple would arrive and resided here many centuries ago. The dwellings, or bhavantam, are torn down but left standing as a reminder of the past. A Hemad Panthi gopuram with a local flavor may be found on the Shivalayam, which is a part of the temple network.
Ammapalli Temple Hours: 6:00 am to 1:00 pm in the morning
Hours in the Evening: 4:00 to 8:00
Oct. to Jul. is the best time to travel. On holidays like Sri Rama Navami, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Dwadasi, Telugu New Year, English New Year, Karthika Masam, and others, the temple would be loaded.
The following are a few Ammapalli Temple mysteries:
The Eastern Chalukya dynasty is thought to have constructed the temple sometime in the 12th century AD.
The temple is renowned for its beautiful sculptures and carvings that combine North Indian and South Indian architectural styles.
The temple is renowned for its distinctive architecture, which combines Vesara and Dravida styles.
The temple is claimed to have been erected on the spot where Lord Vishnu requested that a devotee named Amma construct a temple in his honor while appearing to her in a dream.
The temple is particularly renowned for its distinctive and elaborate carvings, which represent scenes from Hindu mythology on the walls and pillars.
The temple also houses a special figure of Lord Vishnu that was fashioned from a single piece of stone.
A sizable and well-kept garden surrounds the temple, making it a popular place for visitors to unwind and take in the breathtaking views.
The temple is a well-liked destination for pilgrims, and many followers visit the temple to offer prayers and ask for Lord Vishnu’s blessings.
The temple is particularly well-known for its yearly festival, which is held in February and draws tens of thousands of tourists from across the nation.
Although the temple is not as well-known or well-frequented as other temples in Andhra Pradesh, anyone with an interest in historic architecture should go there.
Ammapalli Temple Access: By Air
The Shamshabad airport, located 12 km from the temple, is the closest one.
By Rail Kacheguda, which is 32 km from Ammapalli Temple, is the closest railroad station.
Via Road
From the stands in Secunderabad and Hyderabad, one can access the direct bus.
The temple’s extra accolades are a result of a winning combination of setting, ambiance, and fortune. Despite the beauty of its architecture and its portrayal in popular culture, the legend surrounding this temple will stay with you.