The place where Lord Rama, Sita Maa, and Lakshman Ji resided for a night and rested there but without Hanumanji! But, this is where Hanumanji was not there with his God, Shri Ram. Well, Ammapalli Temple is the destination where Lord Rama rested for a night: a Mystery, mythological, and purely historic destination covered in multiple Tollywood movies. Let’s join us and unlock the secrets of this temple!
Historical Development Of Ammapalli Temple Temple
Ammapalli Temple is a seven-storey temple which is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. The temple popularly known as Sri Sita RamaChandra Swamy Temple in Ammapally hence, also known as Ammapally Temple. One of the reasons behind its name is its location i.e., Ammapally region and one story behind it. There was one woman who was sleeping at the place where the temple is currently located. Lord Vishnu came in her dream and asked her to build one temple under his supreme power. As a result, Ammapally Temple is located in present times.
In the 20th century, the Chalukya dynasty built the temple, the style and carvings of the temple reflect significance of Hindu culture and architecture. The temple is a good example of traditional South Indian architecture. There are other shrines encircling the huge center courtyard, offering a calm and roomy setting for prayer. The complex artwork and carvings inside the temple portray events from Ramayana, where Shri Ram’s story has an intricate historical and cultural value.
Ammapalli’s Story, Cultural Significance, Details
The tower is followed by the major temple with a broad hallway around the temple. The idols of Lord Rama, Sita Ji, and Lakshman and its Makara Thoranam designed in a unique way which specifically shaped from single black rock. Anjaneya (Lord Hanuman) always placed with Shri Ram but in the sanctum sanctorum of this temple, you will not see Hanumanji with Lord Rama. Anjaneya Swamy’s idol positioned near the DwajaSthambam confronting Shri Rama. There is a huge temple pond which is extremely historical where Porticos placed on its circumference.
The pond surrounded by Coconut trees. There is a mandap opposite to Shrine where multiple Tollywood film industries cherish Ammapalli and they feel that movies and other programs have been shot here. Though people think that the movie shot here performs well.
Ammapalli Temple History
This temple was constructed in the 11th century during the empire of the Vengi Chalukyas. This amazing building is spread over 250 acres of land. The 7-storeyed Gali Gopuram is 90 feet. The inscriptions on this gopuram depict images of Lord Vishnu, Rama and Dashavatara. Two huge temple tanks are located on the south and east side of the temple. This temple dedicated to Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana and has a monolithic idol. It is said that Lord Rama and Lakshmana reached this place much before meeting Hanuman, so there is no idol of Hanuman in the sanctum sanctorum. The idol of Sri Rama is 4 feet. This temple is located at a distance of 6 kilometers from Shamshabad. The outer layout of this temple was made by Muslim rulers.
Ammapalli Temple: UNESCO World Heritage
Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam will celebrated on the day of Sri Rama Navami. Separate mandapams built for Edurkolu and Kalyanam. This temple recognized as a UNESCO heritage in 2010. Sri Rama rested here during his exile. Sri Rama and Hanuman had not met till then, hence named Kodanda Rama.
The idol of Anjaneya installed on the Dhwaj Sthal next to Garuda. It is the inspiration for the Charminar in Hyderabad. In the Ramayana Aranya Kand, Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana stayed in the forest for 14 years. They left Ayodhya and walked through the forests from North India to the South. They reached this place called Dandakaranya. Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana rested here for a night. Hence to remember that this place sanctified by the feet of Sri Rama, a temple was built. It was the Chalukya Empire around 7th-11th century, the temple built during their time.
Interesting Facts About Ammapalli Temple
- Since Sita Maa enthroned as the main deity in this temple, the town named Ammapalli. This temple is around 1000 years old temple. The temple is historic during the Chalukya period.
- The 70 feet Gali Gopuram is the main attraction here. This 7 storied building is plastered using baked bricks, limestone. It is the inspiration for the Nizam’s Charminar which was built in the 15th century.
- The arch here is unique with “Makara Thoranam” – a single boulder for 3 idols. This arch includes 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This kind of stone carving dates back to the 11th century. And there are only two such idols in India. In Ammapalli Temple and Rayali-Jaganmohan Temple. The idol of Lord Vishnu at the entrance of the temple fascinates us.
- The entrance to the main temple has Kurma (a tortoise avatar), which is rare and gives special salvation power to the temple.
