Ramappa world heritage site
Ramappa world heritage site
The Kakatiya Empire is one of the least known and most remarkable dynasties in Indian history. Between the 11th and 14th centuries, they built temples of extraordinary sophistication in the Deccan region of what is now Telangana, introduced progressive social reforms that broke with the rigid caste hierarchies of their time, and ran an administrative system efficient enough to draw admiration from Marco Polo on his travels. Their most extraordinary achievement is Ramappa, a UNESCO World Heritage temple built in the 13th century whose architects solved the problem of building on soft soil by using lightweight porous bricks that float on water. Our private Ramappa temple tour from Hyderabad visits this engineering marvel alongside Bhadrakali temple, where the Kohinoor diamond once gleamed as the eye of the goddess, and the Thousand Pillar Temple of Warangal, whose 1,000 carved columns are arranged so that none of them obscures the view of the shrine.





What to expect
The Ramappa temple tour from Hyderabad begins with hotel pickup at 6:30 am in a private air conditioned vehicle. The three hour drive northeast brings you to Warangal by mid morning.
The first stop is Ramappa temple, the UNESCO World Heritage site dedicated to Lord Rudreshwara and built in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. The temple takes its name from its chief sculptor, Ramappa, one of the few instances in Indian history where a craftsman rather than a king gave his name to his creation. The sandstone structure sits on a star shaped platform, its exterior covered in exquisitely carved panels of dancers, warriors, and mythological scenes. The most remarkable feature is the lightweight porous brick used to construct the roof, bricks so light they float on water, a solution devised to reduce the load on the soft black cotton soil beneath. Your guide explains the engineering logic and the extraordinary craft that made this possible eight centuries ago without modern tools or materials.
Bhadrakali temple follows, one of the oldest goddess temples in South India, built in 625 AD on the banks of Bhadrakali Lake. This is where the Kohinoor diamond story takes an unexpected turn. In the 14th century, the Kohinoor was set as the left eye of the Bhadrakali goddess in this very temple, before it was seized by Alauddin Khalji during his conquest of the Kakatiya kingdom and began its long journey through the hands of Mughals, Persians, Afghans, Sikhs, and finally the British Crown. Your guide tells the full story of how the most famous diamond in the world passed through this unassuming temple in Warangal.
The Thousand Pillar Temple of Warangal is the final stop, built in 1163 AD by King Rudra Deva and dedicated to three deities, Shiva, Vishnu and the sun god. The temple has exactly 1,000 columns, each carved with different patterns, arranged in such precise geometric order that from any point in the temple the line of sight to the main shrine is completely unobstructed. The morning sun is designed to fall directly on the Shiva lingam at the appropriate hour, a feat of astronomical alignment achieved without any modern instruments.
Hotel drop in Hyderabad by 7:30 pm.
This private Ramappa temple tour from Hyderabad is fully inclusive. We take care of hotel pickup and drop in a private air conditioned vehicle, your English speaking cultural guide throughout the day, all entry fees and a South Indian vegetarian lunch.
Ramappa Temple
This magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Rudreshwara (Shiva) and world heritage site was built in the 13th century during the reign of the Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva. The sandstone structure is a remarkable piece of architecture with its decorated beams and pillars of carved granite. A distinct feature of this temple is the use lightweight porous bricks or ‘floating bricks’, to reduce the weight of the roof structure.
Bhadrakali Temple
Bhadrakali temple is one of the oldest temples dedicated to the worship of the mother goddess. It is this deity of the goddess which had the Kohinoor diamond as it left eye in the 14th century. Built in AD 625, it is located in a picturesque setting on the banks of the Bhadrakali Lake. The temple structure is supported by square pillars a unique style statement in architecture. A highlight of this temple is the sculpture of a fierce lion, the sacred vehicle of the Goddess, facing the sanctum.
Guided Tour
Ramappa tour is a guided tour where a cultural evangelist will provide the cultural context during our visit to the Temples. Our cultural evangelists unpack authentic India for better comprehension and appreciation of the cultural and heritage of the ancient Indian civilization.
Thousand Pillar Temple
The Thousand Pillar Temple is one of the finest specimens of Kakatiya architecture. Constructed in the 1163 AD by King Rudra Deva, the temple has three shrines, which are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and the sun god. The temple has 1000 pillars, each of which is embellished with rich carvings. The highlight of the architecture is that the 1000 pillars are constructed in such a way that none of them obstruct the view of the shrine. The entire temple resembles the shape of a star and the pillars have intricate carvings of artwork on them. The design of the temple is such that the morning rays of the sun fall directly on the Shiva Lingam.
Private Tour
A private tour ensures that we are able to focus all our attention on you and adjust the pace of the tour according to your interests. Pick and drop from your hotel in an airconditioned vehicle is included in the Ramappa tour from Hyderabad.
Strenghening local community
Our company is helping the local community by training & employing local guides. This initiative is to ensure travel dollars stay where they are spent.
Tripadvisor Reviews
Pricing chart
- Hotel Pick & drop
- Private Car
- Guide
- Entrance charges
- South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
- Hotel Pick & drop
- Travel by sedan
- Guide
- Entrance charges
- South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
- Hotel Pick & drop
- Travel by sedan
- Guide
- Entrance charges
- South Indian Vegetarian meals as lunch
Trip Itinerary
Experience cultural immersion in the Hyderabad city tour.
Walking Tours
Join our immersive culture walks to discover authentic India. Led by a guide, experience culture, heritage & food across India.
Listen to a podcast
Listen to Incredible India Travel, a podcast about the best places to visit and experiences in India.
Motocycle Tours
Join our ride on Royal Enfield Motorcycles s we experience authentic India, led by an escort rider.


