CHENNAI: Archaeologists and cultural enthusiasts are worried over the utter neglect of an ancient temple with exquisite sculptures remaining in a dilapidated condition.
Described as "absolute marvels of art", the sculptures of the Ramalingeswara Temple, near Warangal, in Telangana, have been lying on the ground for years as the renovation/restoration works, ambitiously launched by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) a decade ago, were allegedly given up.
"The sculptures are absolute marvels of art. They cannot be let to lie on the ground as found now," said Dr R Nagaswamy, a Chennai-based veteran archaeologist.
The then state government had handed over renovation /restoration works 12 years ago to the ASI, he said and bemoaned that it was a "national shame" to have the invaluable sculptures damaged/broken, besides causing them lose the sheen.
The famous temple, with a trikuta (three towers), was built in the year 1153 by the renowned Kakatiya King Ganapati who expanded his kingdom up to the northern parts of Tamil Nadu, Nagaswamy pointed out.
The main temple is an abode of lord Shiva while the two other temples have Surya and Lord Vishnu as the presiding deities.
A 1000-pillar hall is an outstanding testimony to the aesthetic excelolence in the works of the Kakatiya period.
Nagasawamy called for immediate steps to resume the renovation/restoration works so that the cultural heritage of the Kakatiya regime could be saved for posterity.