Following worldwide recognition, the temple, located at Palampet in Mulugu district, was selected for development under the Union Ministry of Tourism’s ‘Prasad’ (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme. After the state government submitted its project concept for the proposed development, a team led by Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, G Kamala Vardhana Rao, visited the temple on Monday to understand the proposal and share their inputs.
A senior official from the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) told indianexpress.com that the state government must follow the instructions and contributions provided by the Union Ministry to be able to seek funds for the project. “The team checked the land available, various components and other activities undertaken here. They proposed the need for an interpretive center, a laser light and sound show, landscaping and a lake dyke, in addition to boating services, to be included in the DPR. We will send the DPR in a week,” he said.
TSTDC Chairman Uppala Srinivas Gupta said the state government has been trying to get Rs 250 crore from the Union Ministry for the development of the temple since UNESCO recognition last July.
“We have big plans for the development of the state’s tourism sector. The chief minister has already sanctioned over Rs 2,000 crore. Ramappa temple will be a crucial part of our proposed sightseeing tour of Kaleshwaram which connects reservoirs like Mallanna Sagar, Kondapochamma Sagar, Ranganayakamma Sagar, Mid Manair and Lower Manair reservoirs, Narasimhaswamy Sagar to Yadadri etc. as tourist centers. The village of Bhoodan Pochampally, which recently won the title of “world’s best tourist village” from UNWTO, and the temple of Yadadri will be part of the circuit. In Ramappa, the state government is developing four-lane link roads and considering expansion of resort facilities at Haritha resort,” Gupta told indianexpress.com.
The tourism development corporation has already reserved 10 acres of land for the interpretation center. The proposal includes an amphitheater, car parks, public facilities and a commercial area. A promenade with benches amid landscaped gardens and a 3D projection mapping show are planned to welcome tourists to the temple. As instructed by the core team, floating jetties and boats are to be developed in the adjacent Ramappa Lake.
According to Professor Panduranga Rao of the Kakatiya Heritage Trust, certain conditions prescribed by UNESCO at the time of listing Ramappa Temple as a World Heritage Site must be met before the end of 2022.” The Archeological Survey of India must first fully restore the Kameshwara, Shivalayam and Gollallagudi temple in and around the main temple as prescribed by UNESCO.In addition to this, an interpretation center and fine accommodation and hospitality facilities will enhance the image of the World Heritage monument,” he said.
The Ramappa Temple is the first and only monument in both Telugu states to be included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Known for its intrinsic designs, architecture and technical innovation, the Ramappa Temple was built in 1213 by the ruler Kakatiya Kakati Ganapati Deva, but is best known after its chief sculptor Ramappa.
With the technology of the sandpit and the floating bricks, it fulfilled criteria such as an outstanding universal value, the creative genius of the sculptors and also their contemporary contribution. “We must protect, preserve, conserve and respect the guidelines of the prescription of UNESCO. All including ASI, State Archaeology, State Department of Tourism and Union Ministry of Tourism must work together to elevate the stature of the Ramappa Temple and create an ambience worthy of the world heritage monument,” Rao said, assuring the support of the Kakatiya Heritage Trust. .
The trust’s decade-long efforts to document the temple’s history and the preparation of a dossier were instrumental in the temple’s earning the UNESCO label.
