Kakatiya temples likely to get UNESCO tag

• Archaeology & Museums Department expects an additional Rs 10 crore in the 13th Finance Commission budget
• Kakatiya festival to be celebrated on a grand scale between December 19 and 21

Hyderabad: Centuries-old Kakatiya temples in Warangal are likely to make into UNESCO's world heritage list if official indications are anything to go by. If everything falls in place, these temples that stand testimony to the old glory of a dynasty rule will get the UNESCO tag much ahead of many others in the State.

It may be recalled that the previous attempts to get Golconda Fort, Charminar and Qutub Shahi tombs in the UNESCO list had failed many a times. The officials in the Archaeology & Museums Department are in high spirits as the Telangana government is keen on restoring the Kakatiya temples their former glory.

Post bifurcation, the Telangana Archeology department got Rs 45.71 crore for the restoration, preservation and protection of 81 temples and an additional Rs 10 crore is expected in the 13th Finance Commission that is to end by March 30, 2015.

B Srinivas, director in-charge, Archaeology & Museums Department, Telangana said, “It is not yet confirmed but we are expecting an additional amount and we are keen on restoration of the Kakatiya temples. The Ramappa temple, gateways (thoranams) and the 1000 Pillar Temple have been nominated for the UNESCO's world heritage list.”

It would be the first time after the formation of Telangana State that Kakatiya festival is going to be celebrated. With the government’s plan to celebrate Kakatiya festival in a grand scale, the Kakatiya temples in Warangal have once again come into limelight after centuries, according to an official of the Archaeology Department. Prof M Panduranga Rao, convenor, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Warangal says, “Yearlong programmes were conducted last year to celebrate the 800 years of Ramappa temple and the coronation of 750 years of Rani Rudramma Devi temple. This year, the plan is to conduct the festival for three days between December 18 and 21 on a national scale akin to the Khajuraho festival.”

The Kakatiya festival will be inaugurated by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao. Cultural and literary programmes will be conducted at Warangal Fort, Ramappa Temple, Thousand Pillar Temple and Mulugu Ghanpur temples.

S S Rangacharyulu, special officer, Archaeology & Museums Department, says, “The Kakatiya temples deserve to be on the world heritage list and the temples are getting their due attention after the formation of the new government. In 2012, several encroachments were removed in front of the Thousand Pillar Temple and all actions are being taken to see that it is in compliance with the UNESCO rules. One hopes that the Kakatiya temples get the world heritage status.”

“As part of the Kakatiya festival, the Perini dance, dating back to more than 1,000 years, will be the main attraction. Warriors used to perform the dance before going to war. The dance form was at its peak during the period of Rani Rudramma Devi,” said Prof Panduranga Rao.

Restoration of Rachakonda Fort would be taken up apart from the restoration and protection of Jain and Buddhist monuments, forts, archeological sites and Islamic monuments in the 10 districts of Telangana.