ASI to take over historic temples, monuments in Warangal district

​Warangal: The Kakatiya era temples in Warangal Urban district that are in a state of neglect may soon be given a facelift as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) came forward to take over the temples.

The district administration has recently received a letter from the ASI, which expressed its willingness to take up preservation and protection of several historic temples and monuments in the district. The ASI has asked the administration and departments concerned to prepare a list of such places of importance.

“We are in the process of identifying the temples and monuments to handover them to the ASI for their development. Muppirinatha Swamy Temple and Munipalli Shivalayam in Dharmasagar mandal are listed initially to handover to the ASI,” District Tourism Officer M Shivaji said. The temples are now in a state of neglect with none caring for them.

Kakatiya era stepwells at Kothawada and Shiva Nagar in the city and a few other stepwells located in other places in the district will also be included in the list. After preparing the list, it will be submitted to the ASI for further action, he said.

Before bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the ASI has nearly 130 historic monuments in its control. After State Reorganisation, only eight monuments in Telangana came under ASI control with the remaining located in AP.

Of the eight in Telangana, there are three monuments in erstwhile Warangal district, namely Ramappa Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple and Warangal Fort. Now the ASI is intending to take up preservation and protection of more historic places in the State, Shivaji told The Hans India on Wednesday.

The local legend tells that Muppirinatha Swamy Temple was built during 1116-1157 by the wife of Kakatiya ruler Prola II, Muppamamba. It displays the rich artistic and architectural skills of Kakatiya kings.

There are several carvings on the temple stones narrating tales found in ‘Panchatantra’ along with figurines of dancers and mythical persons and scenes depicting mythological events from Ramayana like war of Vali and Sugriva, lord Rama, Hanuman and others.

The temple’s sanctum sanctorum has been damaged and Shiva Lingam is missing because of the excavations carried out by treasure hunters. Nonetheless, the major part of the carvings on stones inside and outside the temple remained intact and there is an urgent need to preserve it.

Shivaji further informed that steps are being taken to revive sound and light show at Fort Warangal and to preserve the remains of ancient temples and monuments collected by state archaeology department at the local museum. All these steps will help to promote tourism in the district, he hoped.