Mulugu, Oct.3 : A delegation of international officials and journalists expressed immense admiration for the architectural splendor and artistic brilliance of the historic Ramappa Temple in Mulugu district on Saturday. Hailing the engineering mastery of the Kakatiya dynasty, the delegation praised the intricate stone carvings and unique construction techniques that make the temple a timeless monument of global cultural heritage.
The study tour was organized as part of a two-week international capacity-building training program conducted by the Dr. MCR Human Resource Development Institute, Hyderabad, under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program of the Ministry of External Affairs. Running from September 28 to October 10, the program brought together 28 delegates—comprising foreign officials and journalists—representing 18 countries, including Algeria, Bhutan, Cambodia, Ecuador, Fiji, Ghana, Liberia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Togo, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
During the visit, temple guides briefed the foreign delegates on the historical significance, cultural value, and structural engineering of the UNESCO World Heritage site. The delegation was particularly fascinated by the Kakatiya-era “sandbox technology” used in the foundations to make the temple earthquake-resistant, as well as the famous floating bricks utilized in the temple’s gopuram to reduce structural weight.
The foreign dignitaries closely inspected the exquisite black basalt stone sculptures, detailed dance postures, and intricate carvings—some featuring holes so fine that a needle can pass through them. They also appreciated the astronomical and architectural precision that ensures consistent illumination on the sanctum’s Shiva Lingam from sunrise to sunset. Tour Coordination Officer and District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) Rafeeq, Tourism Officer Dharma Nayak, and local officials accompanied the international delegation throughout the visit.
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