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Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs
from Vajirao & Reddy Institute
Current Affairs
Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs
By : Author Desk
Updated : 2025-03-19 17:25:34
MUDUMAL MEGALITHIC MENHIRS
Context :
The
Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs, or standing stones, located in the Narayanpet district of Telangana,
have recently been
included in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites from India.
These stones are believed to be between 3,500 to 4,000 years old and are significant both for their historical value and their connection to astronomy.
In March 2025, India added
6 new properties
to its UNESCO
Tentative List
, increasing the total count of tentative sites in the country to
62
.
This announcement was made official on
March 7,
through the
Permanent Delegation of India to UNESCO
.
WHAT IS UNESCO TENTATIVE LIST?
The
tentative list
is a crucial step in the nomination process for a site to be inscribed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site
.
According to
UNESCO
, each country must first include a property in its
tentative list
before it can be formally nominated for World Heritage status.
Being included in the tentative list is a way for countries to express their intention to recognize and protect their cultural and natural heritage for future generations.
This inclusion reflects
India's ongoing commitment
to the
preservation
and
promotion
of its vast and diverse cultural and natural heritage.
By adding these 6 new properties to the list, India continues to expand the scope of its potential World Heritage Sites.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The
Mudumal Menhirs
are among the largest and most well-preserved megalithic sites in India, making it an important discovery in terms of
pre-historic archaeology
.
The site consists of
large standing stones
, arranged in specific patterns, which are believed to have served two key functions:
Burial sites
: They are likely associated with ancient
burial practices
, marking the graves of early communities.
Astronomical observatories
: The stones were possibly used to track celestial events like the
sun
and
stars
, suggesting a high level of
astronomical knowledge
.
KEY FEATURES OF THE SITE
Archaeological Importance
:
The site comprises around
80 large standing stones
, each ranging from
10 to 14 feet
tall, scattered over an
80-acre area
.
The stones are carefully
arranged in specific alignments
, which suggests they were used to mark important events such as the
equinoxes
and
solstices
, key events in the
solar calendar
.
In addition to the large menhirs, there are
nearly 3,000 smaller stones
, adding to the site's complexity and significance.
Astronomical Significance
:
The menhirs offer evidence of
astronomical knowledge
from ancient times. One of the stones is believed to represent the
Ursa Major constellation
(Saptarshi Mandal), which was crucial for navigation.
Some of the stones have
cup marks
, which align with the
North Star
(Polaris), helping ancient people determine direction at night and marking the
change of seasons
.
Cultural Significance
:
The site is an important part of local folklore. Villagers consider the stones sacred, with one stone believed to be
Goddess Yellamma
. This reflects the deep
spiritual connection
the local community has with the site.
The menhirs are referred to as
‘Niluralla Thimmappa’
, highlighting their cultural and religious importance to the locals.
OTHER SITES ADDED TO THE TENTATIVE LIST
1. Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh)
Location
: Bastar district, Chhattisgarh
Significance
: Known for biodiversity and unique geological features.
Key Features
:
Home to
Bastar Hill Myna
, the state bird of Chhattisgarh.
Habitat for a variety of flora and fauna of national and international importance.
Offers
ecotourism potential
due to its natural beauty.
2. Ashokan Edict Sites along the Mauryan Routes (Multiple States)
Location
: Various states (Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, etc.)
Significance
: Serial nomination of sites with
Ashoka’s edicts
, dating back to the
3rd century BCE
.
Key Features
:
Reflects
Mauryan governance
and
support for Buddhism
.
Inscribed on rocks, caves, and pillars across India.
3. Chausath Yogini Temples (Multiple States)
Location
: Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu
Significance
: Ancient temples dedicated to
64 Yoginis
, representing Hindu Tantra and spirituality.
Key Features
:
Built between the
9th-12th centuries
.
Roofless, circular or octagonal temples.
Contains
64 images of Yoginis
, with intricate stone carvings.
Many temples located on hilltops with scenic views.
4. Gupta Temples of North India (Multiple States)
Location
: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan
Significance
: Early examples of
temple architecture
during the
Gupta period
(4th-6th centuries CE).
Key Features
:
Transition from
cave architecture
to
structural temples
.
Temples like
Dashavatara Temple
(Deogarh) and
Bhitargaon Temple
(Uttar Pradesh).
Shikhara towers
, intricate sculptures, and terracotta panels.
5. Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas (Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh)
Location
: Orchha (Madhya Pradesh) and Datia (Uttar Pradesh)
Significance
: Architectural masterpieces of the
Bundela dynasty
(medieval period).
Key Features
:
Fusion of
Rajput
and
Mughal
architectural styles.
Jehangir Mahal
(Orchha) and
Govind Mahal
(Datia) as key examples.
Represents the cultural context of the Bundela dynasty.
INDIA’S CURRENT UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Total
: 43 World Heritage Sites (2024).
Cultural Sites
: 35
Natural Sites
: 7
Mixed Sites
: 1
Notable Addition (2024)
:
Moidams
(Ahom Dynasty burial sites) in Assam, officially inscribed on the World Heritage List.
In conclusion, the Mudumal Menhirs are a remarkable archaeological site that blends both ancient burial practices and advanced knowledge of astronomy. This recognition by UNESCO is an important step toward preserving and studying the site for future generations.
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