Telangana Forum protests demolition of 800-year-old Kakatiya temple

A Telangana heritage group has urged the government to stop the demolition of an 800-year-old Kakatiya-era Shiva temple in Warangal. The move has sparked concerns over heritage loss, with activists questioning permissions and the necessity of removing the structure.

Hyderabad: The members of the New Telangana History Forum on Tuesday have appealed to the State Government to halt the destruction of an 800-year-old Kakatiya-era Shiva temple in Khanapur mandal, Warangal district, which was recently razed to make way for an integrated school.

“Demolishing the 800-year-old Shiva temple built by the Kakatiyas may take just a day. But constructing it took years. What obstacle does the presence of this temple pose inside the premises of the proposed integrated school? Why not allow this heritage structure to remain as it is? Whose sin is this? Why this curse on the temple?” Sreeramoju Haragopal, Convener, Kotha Telangana Charitrabrundam, said.

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According to the Kotha Telangana Charitrabrundam, the temple, which falls under the purview of the State Archaeology Department, was leveled by a bulldozer.

Local residents have expressed serious concern, questioning the authority under which the contractor is acting.

Haragopal pointed out that there has been no clarification regarding whether mandatory permissions were obtained from the Archaeology and Endowments Departments.