Ramappa temple wall collapses
A compound wall at the famous Ramappa temple at Palampet village, Venkatapur mandal, in Jayashankar Bhupalapalli district has collapsed.
Locals and experts blamed the Archaeology Survey of India (ASI) for neglecting the temple, which is known for its Kakatiya art.
In 2012, the main entrance and east side wall collapsed in a similar way. Due to the heavy rains, the ceiling in the centre of the temple is leaking.
The ASI failed to repair the compound walls, which are in a dilapidated condition.
The temple, built in 1213 AD, is said to have been set up by chief general Recherla Rudra during the period of Kakatiya ruler Ganapati Deva.
This historical temple has been nominated for Unesco entry. In 2015, the temple was short-listed and the details were sought.
The proposal was approved by the ministry of culture in 2016 and the nomination was submitted to the Unesco in February 2017. A team of experts from the Unesco is expected to visit the soon.
Archaeologist Aravind Arya Pakide blamed the ASI for not taking up preventive measures to stop the compound walls from collapsing.
“Being built with the sandbox technology, the walls have lost support due to the sand underneath getting washed away. If the temple is found in such condition during the Unesco team’s visit, it will have a negative impact. It is high time the ASI take up the repairs,” he said.