Chennai: The renowned Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, which is among the 108 divya desams, has been recognised with an Award of Merit, 2017, from Unesco’s Asia Pacific award for cultural heritage conservation.
Of the 43 applications from 10 countries across the Asia Pacific region, the Unesco received, the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is the only
religious shrine in south India to bag this award. Mumbai’s Christ Church and Royal Bombay Opera House were the other monuments in India that received the Award of Merit this year.
The jury comprising of 9 international experts convened from Aug. 9 - 11 at Unesco, Bangkok, and awarded one award of excellence, two awards of distinction, four awards of merit, six honourable mentions and three award for new design in heritage contexts.
According to a communiqué from Unesco sent to the temple, dated November 1, the temple has been selected for the Award of Merit for 2017. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the first temple in TN to receive a Unesco award.
The temple got international recognition for the beautification and renovation work for Rs 20 crore taken up prior to a consecration ceremony in 2015, without affecting its centuries-old heritage.
