Alampur Temple Reinstatement Hailed as a Landmark in Global Heritage Conservation: District Collector B.M. Santosh

Gadwal: District Collector B.M. Santosh stated that it is the collective responsibility of all citizens to preserve the invaluable cultural and architectural heritage of the Alampur temples and pass it on safely to future generations. He was speaking at the inauguration of a photo exhibition organized in the premises of the Kudavalli Sangameshwara Temple in Alampur on Wednesday, as part of the World Heritage Week celebrations conducted under the aegis of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Addressing the gathering, the Collector said World Heritage Week symbolizes the shared responsibility of humanity to safeguard the core values that form the foundation of civilization. He explained that the objective of the celebrations, held from November 19 to 25, is to raise public awareness about historical heritage and provide opportunities to explore heritage sites.

He further highlighted that Alampur is a sacred region enriched with spiritual, historical, and architectural splendor, home to the Navabrahma temples, the Papnashi temple complex, the Jogulamba Shakti Peetham, and the Sangameshwara temple. After observing the exhibition, the Collector described the reinstatement of the Alampur temples as an extraordinary and exemplary achievement in the history of global heritage conservation.

He noted that when the ancient temples near Srisailam faced the threat of submergence due to the Krishna River project, each stone block was scientifically identified, dismantled, transported, and reconstructed at a new location without altering the original structure — a highly complex task accomplished through exceptional engineering and sculptural expertise. He praised the ASI for its dedication, scientific approach, and respect for ancient craftsmanship throughout the project.

The Collector appreciated the archaeological officials for beautifully documenting every stage of the relocation process—from the original submerged site to the reinstated location—through photographs displayed in the exhibition.

Addressing students, he said that ancient structures like the Alampur temples stand as living testimony to India’s cultural depth, architectural brilliance, and engineering ingenuity. He emphasized that real understanding comes not only from reading about these monuments in books but also from visiting and observing them directly. He advised students to gain strong knowledge of heritage and culture, as these topics are also increasingly important in government examinations. He reminded everyone that protecting historical monuments is a fundamental duty of every citizen and suggested that schools encourage heritage awareness by organizing speeches, quizzes, and similar activities.

He added that the Sangameshwara temple, located at the confluence of the Tungabhadra and Krishna rivers, is a site of immense spiritual, historical, and artistic significance. Preserving such priceless heritage and passing it on to future generations is of utmost importance, he stressed.

Later, the Collector felicitated the officials who successfully organized the photo exhibition.

Superintending Archaeologist N. Nihil Das, Deputy Superintending Archaeologist H.R. Desai, Assistant Superintending Archaeologist Rohini Pandey, Deputy Superintending Archaeological Engineer Krishna Chaitanya, Assistant Archaeological Engineer P. Kishore Kumar Reddy, Assistant Archaeologist Sai Krishna, Conservation Assistant U. Venkataiah (Alampur Temples), Tahsildar Manjula, Montessori students, and several others participated in the program.