Telangana is home to one UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ramappa Temple. Recently, another location from the state has been included on the tentative list: the Megalithic Menhirs Site, which is believed to date back over 3,500 years. On February 11, the central government submitted a dossier regarding the menhirs to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention. “The Mudumal menhirs represent one of India’s most expansive and impeccably preserved megalithic astronomical observatory sites, showcasing an intricate and precise arrangement of boulder alignments, formations, and stone circles. Within a central area, a concentration of two distinct types of menhirs further enhances the site’s uniqueness,” read the dossier.

　　Standing Stall

　　The menhir site is located in Mudumal village, Narayanpet, within a tranquil and unspoiled landscape surrounded by agricultural fields. These ancient stones stand tall and silent, serving as enduring sentinels of a forgotten era. Situated near the banks of the Krishna River, approximately 4 kilometres southwest of Mudumal village, the site spans 89 acres and features stone structures arranged in a linear pattern, ranging from 10 to 15 feet in height.

　　According to UNESCO, the landscape offers sweeping views of the surrounding area, providing insight into how the ancient builders may have aligned the menhirs with celestial bodies. They carefully positioned the stones to mark solstices, equinoxes, and star patterns, establishing the Mudumal Megalithic Menhir site as an ancient observatory. The site's natural environment, proximity to the river and integration into agricultural lands, underscores its enduring significance in the region and its connection to terrestrial and cosmic realms.

　　Local Lore

　　The towering menhirs are a key feature of a megalithic landscape that includes ancient burial sites, stone circles, and inscribed rocks. Over time, local communities have woven these impressive stones into their cultural heritage, enriching their beliefs and practices.

　　Revered as "Niluralla Thimmappa," or Thimmappa of the Standing Stones, the menhirs hold sacred status among the locals. One specific menhir is honored as Goddess Yellamma, underscoring the spiritual connection people have with these monumental structures. This relationship highlights the enduring cultural significance of the site, illustrating the bond between nature, history, and spirituality.

　　Astronomical Significance

　　A megalithic menhir is a sizable, upright stone, often tapering at the top, that was erected in ancient times. It may belong to a larger megalithic site and could have functioned as a marker, ritual location, or astronomical tool.

　　According to the UNESCO tentative list, the site is divided into distinct sections. In one area, menhirs align with the rising and setting sun during the summer and winter solstices, suggesting it may have served as an ancient observatory.

　　About 400 meters west, a hillock features stone circles representing megalithic burials. A cuboid rock with cup marks at the summit depicts the constellation Ursa Major, showcasing the builders' advanced astronomical knowledge. This constellation, significant for its connection to the North Star, aligns with the winter solstice sunrise, highlighting the site's astronomical precision.

　　Another set of cup marks, located 350 meters southwest of the menhirs, depicts a broader night sky, including Ursa Major, Leo, and the planet Jupiter, marking one of the earliest planetary depictions in South Asia.