1. The prehistoric standing stones (menhirs) of Mudumal in Telangana have been added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
  2. Located on the banks of the Krishna River, these 1,200 large vertical stones form an ancient astronomical observatory mapping constellations like Leo, Ursa Major, and Virgo.
  3. Estimated to be around 3,000 years old, the site provides insights into early human understanding of the sky and celestial navigation.
  4. The proposal was prepared with the help of conservation architect Surya Narayan Murthy and the Deccan Heritage Academy Trust.
  5. Recognition could promote scientific, archaeological, and heritage tourism, emphasizing ancient Indian knowledge of astronomy.