Dichpally Ramalayam is located 18 km from Nizamabad on the
way to Hyderabad. Dichpally Ramalayam is the popular name of the Sri Rama
Temple located at Dichpally in Nizamabad District in Telangana. The temple, an
architectural marvel, is also known as Khilla Ramayanam and was built during
the 14th century.
One has to climb 105 steps to reach the sanctum sanctorum
and offer prayers to the deities. There is a subway to help old and physically
challenged people – the subway is connected to Raghunanda Temple, another shrine in the region.
The temple has murtis of Bhagvan Sri Ram, Mata Sita, Lakshman
and Hanuman in the sanctum sanctorum.
The temple is one of the finest examples of the ancient
stone architecture built by Kakatiya kings. The style and structure of the
temple is quite similar to the temples in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. Therefore,
the shrine is also known as Indhoor Khajuraho or the Khajuraho of Nizamabad.
The shrine is made using white and black basalt stone. The
walls of the temple are embellished with sculptures of gods, goddesses, demons
and animals. There are also numerous erotic sculptures engraved on the pillars,
ceilings and door frames of the temple.
During the monsoon season, the temple gets an even more
enthralling look as it is surrounded by water and is isolated from the main
land. Then the temple alone stands on the temporary island.
The most important festival in the temple is Sri Ramnavami
which is annually held in March end or during the first fortnight of April.