India gets its 39th World Heritage Site: Rudreswara Temple in Telangana

Rudreswara Temple which is located at Palampet, Mulugu district, in the state of Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. On 25^th July 2021 this decision was taken at the 44^th session of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee. Ramappa temple was proposed by the government of India as its sole nomination for UNESCO World Heritage.

About Rudreswara temple

• In 1213 AD, during the rule of the Kakatiya Empire, the Rudreswara temple was constructed.
• This temple was constructed by Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva’s general Recharla Rudra.
• Ramalingeswara Swamy is the presiding deity of this temple.
• This temple is also known as Ramappa temple, named so after the sculptor who, for 40 years, executed the work in the temple.
• The temple complexes built during the reign of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, decoration and technology.
• The Ramappa Temple is an exhibition of this unique style and hence, it stands as a testimonial to the creative genius of the Kakatiyans.
• On 6 feet high star-shaped platform stands the Ramappa Temple with pillars, ceilings and walls decorated with complex carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the year 2020s World Heritage Committee (WHC) meeting of the UNESCO could not be conducted and hence, the nominations for 2020 and 2021 were discussed via online meetings. These meetings are currently underway. There are 21 Members of the World Heritage Committee with the current Chair of the Committee being China.