Temple authorities at the historic Ramappa Temple in Mulugu district, Telangana, have laid high‑quality green mats along the full pathway from the entrance to the temple steps to protect devotees and tourists from the blistering heat of heated stone and sand surfaces.
The mats run continuously from the water‑washing points, where visitors cleanse their feet, all the way up to the base of the sanctum steps, ensuring a cool, shaded walk during the ongoing heatwave.
The decision was taken after officials observed devotees struggling to walk barefoot on scorching ground, with the temple Executive Officer Emmadi Bhaskar describing the earlier walk as a painful ordeal rather than a spiritual experience.
He said the mats allow visitors to explore the UNESCO World Heritage‑tagged Ramappa Temple’s intricate Kakatiya‑era architecture in comfort, turning the heated approach path into a more peaceful, temple‑centric journey.
Visitors have welcomed the measure, noting that the mats offer noticeable relief from the sharply rising midday ground temperatures, and the temple management has confirmed that the arrangement will be maintained throughout the peak summer period.
