Mulugu: Ramappa, Kakatiya era temples become soft targets for treasure hunters

Archaeologists say that these situations are due to the lack of security arrangements that should be in the place of world heritage. They want the State government to respond and make necessary security arrangements in the vicinity of Ramappa.

Mulugu: The historic Rudreshwara temple, popularly known as Ramappa temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, located at Palampet village of Mulugu district, lies in a state of neglect with the State government doing little for its development and security aspects.

The temple, which suffered damages due to weather conditions and natural calamities over a period of time, was restored to its glory in the last 10 years by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), but of late, not much effort is being made by the State government to develop the surroundings and provide facilities for the tourists in and around the temple. During the recent heavy rains in Mulugu, there were also reports of seepage of rainwater in the temple premises.

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Due to the government’s negligence and lack of security, Ramappa and other Kakatiya era temples situated near it are suffering damages due to lack of maintenance. In the absence of proper security, the temples have become soft targets for treasure hunters. Recently, unidentified miscreants destroyed some parts of the Golla Gudi situated near Ramappa temple.

Archaeologists say that these situations are due to the lack of security arrangements that should be in the place of world heritage. They want the State government to respond and make necessary security arrangements in the vicinity of Ramappa.

During the Kakatiya period, the Ramappa Temple and adjacent to it, Kateswara, Kameswara, Narasimhaswamy and Nandi Mantapa were built. There are Golla Gudi, Yakub Sab temple, Trikutalayam and two more Shiva temples inside the compound surrounding the Ramappa Temple. On the embankment of Ramappa pond there is a Kalyana mandapam, a Trikutalayam (a side of cottages) and two other small temples. Two other Shiva temples in Palampet are crumbling and stone pillars are collapsing. Due to heavy rains last year, the rampart adjacent to the eastern gate collapsed.
The Shiva temple 300 metres away from the Ramappa temple has completely collapsed. Along with the main temple, the surrounding 16 small temples were completely destroyed. The Kameswara temple was demolished and the rocks were piled up for reconstruction. All the surrounding temples have been neglected or dilapidated for decades.

Temples in Ramappa, Lakshmi Devi Pet, Peddapuram, Ramanjapuram and Narsapuram villages are losing their naturalness due to lack of maintenance. As the hunt for hidden treasures continues, the structures are constantly being dug up and destroyed. Despite repeated appeals by archaeologists and art lovers, the authorities are not taking steps to provide security to these structures.