Heritage Activists Push for Protection of Jain Shrine near UNESCO Site
A Jain shrine near the Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Mulugu district, is in urgent need of protection and conservation. The shrine, featuring 13th-century Kakatiya architecture, is overgrown with vegetation and requires immediate attention. The shrine’s construction, design, and architecture are significant, with a garbagriha, ardhamandapa, and stepped pyramidal Kadamba Nagara-style sikhara.
Heritage activists, including E. Sivanagi Reddy, CEO of Pleach India Foundation, and Arvind Arya, secretary of Team of Research on Culture and Heritage (TORCH), urge the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to include the shrine in its list of protected monuments.
Conservation Efforts
The ASI has issued preliminary notifications to declare two nearby temples, Shiva Temple and Gollala Gudi, as monuments of national importance. Conservation work will begin after final notification.
Significance of Ramappa Temple
The Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021, showcases exceptional Kakatiya-era architecture and engineering. Its unique construction techniques, including sandbox foundation and floating bricks, make it earthquake-resistant.
