Ammapalli Temple

Introduction to the Ammapalli Temple

Sri Rama Chandra Swamy Temple, or Ammapalli Temple, is in Shamshabad, Ammapalli, Telangana. This historical temple is famous for movie shootings. As Sita is the significant deity here, the town became Ammapalli. Ammapalli Temple is one of the most visited tourist spots in Hyderabad.

Legend of the Ammapalli Temple

According to the temple legend, which is drawn from the Aranyakanda, a chapter in the Ramayana epic, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana dwelled in the forest for 14 years. They started from Ayodhya and traveled through forests, moving from North India to the South.

They reached a spot called Dandakaranya. Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana rested for a night here. As this place was considered sacred by the arrival of Rama, a temple was built. Since the Chalukyas ruled the region then, they built the Ammapalli Temple here.

The Architecture of the Ammapalli Temple

Vengi kings built the Ammapalli Temple in the 13th century and renovated it in the 17th century. Kalyani Chalukyas was its major patron. It is a blend of Dravidian, Vesara, and Rajasthan styles of architecture. The Ammapalli Temple spreads over 250 acres of land. Muslim rulers constructed the external layout of Ammapalli Temple.

The temple has a seven-tiered, 90-foot-high Gali Gopuram; compared to Hampi and Tirupati, it is leaner and made of limestone plaster, baked bricks, and stucco, giving it a more striking appearance. The elegant Gali Gopuram has embellished Vishnu, Rama, and Dasavathara images. The Dhwaja Sthambam faces towards the sanctum. In front of the Ammapalli Temple, a 12-pillared mandap and a pond can be seen. There is a huge image of Vishnu in the reclining posture above the tower's gateway. By surpassing the tower, visitors can reach the main temple surrounded by a large corridor. There is a Kurma (Turtle Avatar) at the entrance of the main temple. It is unique and gives the temple a special power of salvation.

Visitors can see a large central courtyard with many smaller shrines surrounding it. Beautiful carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from the Ramayana adorn the temple.

The Ammapalli Temple is dedicated to Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. Their idols and Makara Toranam are beautifully carved from a monolithic stone. This unique arch depicts ten incarnations of Vishnu. The idol of Rama in the sanctum is 4 feet high. Even though the gopuram over the sanctum is a smaller structure, it provides more excellent detailing of the temple iconography.

Anjaneya Swamy, usually accompanying Rama, is not seen in the sanctum. Instead, his idol is placed near the Dhwaja Sthambam beside Garuda. It is said that there is no Hanuman idol sitting near Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana, as he did not join them till the end of their exile.

There is an ancient, large temple pond here. Porticos and coconut trees surround the pond and provide shelter to the pilgrims. A mandap is seen opposite the temple. UNESCO acknowledged the Ammapalli Temple as a heritage site in 2010.

The local people of Shamshabad formed a trust to maintain the Ammapalli Temple. They take care of daily Poojas and temple maintenance and organize events on festival days.

Festivals in the Ammapalli Temple

The Ammapalli Temple celebrates Sri Rama Navami with great enthusiasm every year. Sri Sita Rama Kalyanam is also held on Sri Rama Navami. There are distinct mandaps for Edurukolu and Kalyanam. Hanuman Jayanti, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Dwadasi, and Telugu New Year are also celebrated.