Photo expo a huge draw at Golconda

Golkonda: The visitors to the Golkonda Fort had a double treat on World Heritage Day. A photo exhibition in Baghmati Palace, a three-storey structure, in Golconda Fort was an added attraction.

The prime attraction of the exhibition was ancient artillery discovered at the Golconda in huge numbers.The artillery has been sent for restoration and will be displayed at the fort.It includes cannons, bombards and matchlock guns. The other discovered artilleries are said to on display in the Baghmati Palace along with the other restored artillery.

The World Heritage Day is celebrated every year to promote the cultural heritage across the world. Telangana with such a treasure trove of ancient and unique monuments has been unable to secure the coveted World Heritage Tag.

Archaeological Survey of India (Hyderabad Circle) along with Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) marked the occasion with events that included heritage cycling drive from Golconda Fort to Shatam Talab, Naya Qila.

Brigadier RR Kumar, retired IAS officer Gopala Krishna, INTACH Telanganaconvener Anuradha Reddy, ASI Superintending Archeologist Dr Milan Kumar and other delegates were present on the occasion.Later, RR Kumar flagged off the heritage cycling drive from Golconda fort to Shatam Talab, Naya Qila.

India has 36 World Heritage Sites including Western Ghats, Sundarbans National Park, Taj Mahal, City of Ahmadabad, Nalanda University, Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Heritage activists in the city said that the Golconda Fort, Charminar and the Qutub Shahi Tombs can be declared as world heritage sites only if the State government puts in efforts to remove encroachments and completes the proposals in time.