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| Nov. 2023 hole on the pillar Virupaksha Temple of Hampi opindia.com |
India's many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and thousand of government recognized heritage structures highlight subcontinent's connectivity with rich natural and civilisational history, In the last decade such sites have been facing severe natural threats linked to climate change caused by increasing global warming and erratic monsoon rains.
Recently, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has issued a notice on Karnataka’s endowment department for allegedly drilling a historical pillar at Virupaksha Temple of Hampi a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The drilling reportedly done to tie a flag during the recent Karnataka Rajyotsava event which was attended by chief minister Siddaramaiah has caused rage among the historians and heritage lovers. ASI said drilling machine was used to drill a hole to affix the flag and the hole was discovered when clearing the decorative items on the pillar.
The state government, according to the ASI, did not seek any permission before making holes in historical pillars. At least they could have sought the advice of the heritage experts which the govt. overlooked. In a notice to the endowment officer in-charge (who was summoned and issued notice), the ASI said,
“Sri. Virupaksha Temple and Complex is a centrally protected monument maintained by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Archaeological survey of India, Hampi Circle through Hampi Sub Circle, Kamalapur. The office has noticed that, you have closed the actual Northern exit of the Virupaksha Temple Garbhagriha by barricading at the steps and a separate way was done for the devotees as such your office has not taken any permission to close the exit and also your office has fixed the M.S hollow pipes in between pillars by making holes and inserting the iron piece in the decorative pillars.” The ASI called it a violation of section 30 of AMASR Act (Amendment and Validation Act) 2010 and asked for an explanation from the department. Under the AMASR Act, desecration of a protected monument is punishable with imprisonment that can extend up to 2 years and a fine of upto ₹1 lakh. The ASI said even the slightest harm to the heritage site will be taken seriously. The moot question is why did the local officials fail to interfere when the drilling on the historical pillar was on? Many view this damage as startling and appaling.
A video in 2019, went viral and had caused widespread resentment among the historians The video showed a group of miscreants were seen destroying and dislodging the historical pillars in Hampi. Hooligans in the video were at large and finally arrested and later fined by the court of law.
The UNESCO declared Hampi as a World Heritage Site in 1986 and Virupaksha temple is part of a group of monuments. Hampi served as the capital city during the Vijayanagara Empire and the temple is said to have been built in the 7th Century by Vijayanagara King Deva Raya 2. An interesting piece of information is it is one of the few monuments in Hampi which escaped destruction by Bahmani Sultanates and other Muslim invaders of bygone era. Since 1986, the ASI has been protecting various monuments in the historical town but it is handicapped by inadequate grants, redtapism and lack of manpower. This heritage site is a testimony to the most fascinating chapters in the history of this region. The entire site is ''a sermon in stone''.
Tit-Bits: Virupaksha Temple,Hampi, KA
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| Virupaksha Temple,Hampi, KA templeknowledge.com |
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| Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, KA. flickr.com |
Above image: Hampi, Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, was the ancient capital of the Vijayanagara empire. Virupaksha Temple (7th century CE) dedicated to Lord Shiva was once a sacred one; the lord's consort goddess Pampa (Parvati) is still associated with the Tungabhadra River. Inscriptions referring to Shiva date back to the 9th and 10th centuries, but the Virupaksha-Pampa sanctuary had been here before the Vijayanagara capital was located here. Rich Vijayanagara rulers built nice buildings and places of worship and in the 14th to 16th CE, it was center of pilgrimage. With the change of political scenario, after the conquer of the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, the city was subject to pillage and violence over a period of six months before being abandoned.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mukulb/5895126988
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mukulb/5895115654
ttps://memorableindia.com/blog/tourist-destinations/mamallapuram-unesco-world-heritage-site/
https://thelogicalindian.com/story-feed/awareness/hindu-temples-neglected/?infinitescroll=1
