All eyes on Ramappa temple as stone specialist set to evaluate site today

HYDERABAD: With a UNESCO-designated expert set to inspect the

Ramappa temple

on Wednesday, all eyes have turned to the Kakatiya-era heritage structure. The temple is the only site from the country in contention for the World Heritage tag 2020.


While there has been much talk about the visit by a UNESCO team, such evaluation missions are usually entrusted to the non-government organisation ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), said experts.

Clarifying this, a UNESCO official said, “In order to ensure impartiality, UNESCO does not intervene in the procedure of evaluation which is being carried out by the NGO specialised in heritage.” For

Ramappa

temple as well, Vasu Poshyanandana, an ICOMOS expert will be evaluating the site on Wednesday. He is the secretary general of International Scientific Committee on Places of Religion and Ritual (PRERICO) which falls under the ICOMOS. Sources said he has in-depth knowledge of temples and religious structures. “His specialization is stone,” said GVS Suryanaryana Murthy, who represents ICOMOS south zone. This will be especially useful at the Ramappa temple where primarily three types of building materials were used: Black dolomite, granite and

sandstone

depending on load distribution.

When contacted, Poshyanandana, who landed in Hyderabad on Tuesday, refused to comment on the inspection stating he was not allowed to disclose any details till the

World Heritage Committee

meeting 2020, which would take a call on the World Heritage tag.

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