Telangana: Ancient Mudumal megalithic menhirs enter UNESCO’s Tentative Heritage List |

Telangana’s rich history is once again in the spotlight as the Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs in Narayanpet district have been added to India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The site dates back an estimated 3,500 to 4,000 years. If granted full UNESCO status, it would be Telangana’s second such site after the Ramappa Temple, which was inscribed in 2021.
The Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs stand as one of India’s most expansive and well-preserved megalithic observatory sites. Spread across 80 acres, this ancient site features an intricate arrangement of standing stones, boulders, and stone circles that appear to have been deliberately aligned with celestial bodies.
There are close to 80 towering menhirs, some reaching heights of 10 to 14 feet, along with nearly 3,000 smaller alignment stones. Scholars believe these were used for funerary rites and astronomical observations, indicating a sophisticated understanding of celestial events among prehistoric communities.
A particularly fascinating aspect of Mudumal is how specific stone formations align precisely with the sun during significant astronomical events, such as the Equinox and Solstices. This suggests that the ancient builders designed the site to track seasonal changes and possibly mark important dates, much like similar megalithic structures found across the world.
Beyond its scientific importance, the site is deeply rooted in local folklore. The people of Mudumal believe that the standing stones are ancient inhabitants turned to stone by an angered goddess, and to this day, certain menhirs are revered as sacred. One particular menhir is worshipped as Goddess Yellamma, and the site is locally known as ‘Niluralla Thimmappa’ (Thimmappa of the Standing Stones).

The Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs are among six properties added to India’s Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2025. The other five sites include:
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One of the site’s most striking discoveries is an alignment stone with cup-mark depressions forming the Ursa Major (Saptarshi Mandal) constellation. This is considered the earliest known depiction of a star cluster in South Asia. The alignment of these stones allows for the tracking of the North Star.
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The inclusion of Mudumal in the UNESCO Tentative List is a critical milestone, as properties must be on this list before they can be nominated for full World Heritage status. The site’s unique blend of archaeology, astronomy, and cultural heritage strengthens its case for recognition.