Jain shrine near Ramappa temple awaits protection; heritage experts urge ASI action

Heritage activists have urged the Archaeological Survey of India to extend protection to a neglected Jain shrine near the Ramappa Temple, citing its deteriorating condition.

A Jain shrine near the Ramappa Temple, the UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its Kakatiya-era architecture, is in urgent need of protection and conservation, heritage activists have said.

Archaeologist E. Sivanagi Reddy, who is also the CEO of Pleach India Foundation, and secretary of the Warangal-based organisation Team of Research on Culture and Heritage (TORCH) Arvind Arya said the shrine is overgrown with vegetation and requires immediate conservation. Expressing gratitude to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Hyderabad Circle, for initiating protection measures for two nearby temples at Palampet, they urged the ASI to include the Jain shrine in its list of protected monuments to ensure proper care and upkeep.

The damaged portion of the Jain temple at Palamapet in Mulugu district. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

According to heritage enthusiasts, the small but aesthetically significant temple comprises a garbagriha (sanctum sanctorum) and ardhamandapa (half-open hall) and is crowned with a stepped pyramidal Kadamba Nagara-style sikhara (spire) with a projected sukanasa (projecting ornamental feature over the temple entrance) on the front. Built on a simple adhisthana (base), the shrine features plain walls and perforated jaali (lattice screen) at the entrance. The lintel is decorated with a series of miniature sikhara reflecting the typical 13th century Kakatiya architectural style.

They noted that the pedestal inside the sanctum bears lion sculptures, the lanchana (symbol) associated with Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Jain Tirthankara, suggesting that the shrine was originally dedicated to Mahavira, though the idol is no longer present in the sanctum.

Meanwhile, the ASI has recently issued preliminary notifications to declare two historic temples at Palampet — the Shiva Temple and Gollala Gudi — as monuments of national importance under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.