The Telangana government is set to rebuild the demolished temple in Ashoknagar area of Khanapur Mandal in Warangal at the same location. Reacting to the report in these columns about the demolition of the 800-year-old temple, the District Collector of Warangal issued a statement setting facts straight. 

“The temple/monument will be restored at the same location in consultation with historians, Stapathis and the Archaeology Department. Necessary efforts will also be initiated for notifying the said structure with the Archaeology Department,” says the note released by the  District Collector after a visit to the site where a Kakatiya-era temple was demolished recently for construction of the proposed Young India Integrated Residential School Complex.

The note informed that, “A joint inspection was conducted on May 6 by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Narsampet, officials of the Archaeology Department, Tahsildar Khanapur, representatives of TGEWIDC and the executing agency.”

Meanwhile, a grievance has been filed in the Centralized Public Grievance Redress And Monitoring System of the Union Government demanding that the temple be rebuilt. 

“It is really unfortunate that a temple of such importance has been destroyed. It could have been easily dismantled and reassembled, there are countless smaller temples that are still found in the area once ruled by the Kakatiyas. Necessary Action in terms of Section 30 of Telangana Heritage Act may be initiated against the officials responsible for destruction of ancient temple,” says the grievance filed by one Rama Rao Immaneni.