Karnataka: Monument

As rain pounded the historical town of Hampi last week, a portion of its world famous heritage site collapsed and what’s worse, develop cracks.

Hampi, which was put on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1986 and spread across the 41-square kilometer area, was considered as one of the leading monuments of 13th Century founded by the great Vijayanagara dynasty. But for the last few days, some sites at Hampi are in varying stages of collapse. Last week, on the day when workers and officials of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) were conducting restoration work at the site, the famous Varaha Temple’s portion caved in. Similarly, ten days ago, some parts of theVijaya Vittal Temple tower walls developed cracks, the same being reported from the historical Kudure Gombe Temple, a horse face like structure. The stones of the wall have come apart posing a serious threat to the site, which has attracted visitors from across the country and world.

And this despite UNESCO’s warning that not much action has been taken either by the Hampi Development Authority or by the state’s department of tourism, a damning indictment indeed. A senior ASI official told TSI:  “The construction methodology of some monuments played an important role in damaging the building. The Varaha temple is situated on the bank of Thungabadra River near Chakratheertha. Last year Thungabadra overflowed and seriously damaged the temple’s foundation stone, weakening the structure.”

The nature of the construction is also being held responsible. The Gopura Temple was built with a mixture of sand and mortar. Over the years that has become dilapidated. The reality, however, has more to do with human greed than anything natural. Illegal granite quarrying is rampant in the vicinity of Hampi and the use of explosives has damaged buildings. Will the government act?