Context-:
The Union government has approved loans to the tune of ₹141 crore to develop two tourism projects in Telangana including 40 projects across 23 States under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
More On News:
- The Union government has approved loans for two tourism projects in Telangana:
- The Ramappa Region Sustainable Tourism Circuit
- The Somasilla Wellness & Spiritual Retreat Nallamala.
- These loans are part of the SASCI scheme to develop iconic tourist centers to global standards.
- The Project is aimed at developing iconic tourist destinations. The loans are interest-free for 50 years.
- Of the approved amount, ₹73.74 crore is allocated for the Ramappa Region project, and ₹68.10 crore for the Somasilla retreat.
- The Ramappa temple is a major attraction for tourism projects will include developments in Incherla village, Ramappa Island, Kota Gullu Temple, and Ghanpur village.
About the Temple:
- The Ramappa Temple (Rudreswara Temple) is an 8th-century engineering marvel located in Palampet, Telangana dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on August 5, 2021.
- The temple was commissioned by Racherla Senapati Rudrayya, a general of the Kakatiya rulers, and took 40 years to complete in the 13th century.
- The temple’s architecture is made of black basalt, a hard stone, which showcases exquisite craftsmanship and intricate carvings.
- Sculptures include dancing girls and medallions depicting women in dance poses, contributing to the revival of the Perini Sivatandavam dance form.
- The temple is built using sandbox technology, with modular chiseled blocks assembled on-site without mortar.
- The gopuram (cupola) is made of light bricks, and the temple features a golden cupola that shines like the sun, as described in an inscription outside.
- Restoration efforts have helped preserve sculptures, including the two dancing girl sculptures found in 1916.