Balangir: Speakers at the Ranipur-Jharial Mahotsav unanimously demanded the world heritage site status for the 1200-year-old remains of the 64 Yoginee temple at the twin villages of Ranipur and Jharial in the district.

The two-day annual cultural festival that showcased art and culture came to an end on Thursday evening. Speaking on the closing evening of the festival, researcher and poet Sanjaya Kumar Mishra said there were many things in Ranipur-Jharial that have not been discovered yet. "There is more research needed to explore the site in detail. No proper research have been done on the ruins of Ranipur-Jharial that dates back to 9th century AD," he said.

Mishra said that the ASI protected ruins of the 64 Yoginee temple and the nearby Indralath temple in the twin village of Ranipur and Jharial has all the potential to get the world heritage site status. "But due to lack of proper research and infrastructure development, the site has been denied the tag it deserves. The government must grant a special package to carry out development as well as research at the site," Mishra said.

Upendra Bag, the general secretary of Kumuda Pahad Surakshya Parishad of Titilagarh, also demanded the world heritage status for Ranipur-Jharial. He said that ancient monuments such as the ruins at the Ranipur-Jharial were a rarity. "The monument lies in neglect, thanks to the apathetic attitude of the government. The monument is (Archaeological Survey Of India) ASI protected. But the ASI has never taken up any work to protect the monument," he said.