Karnataka: Stone by stone, centuries old Jain basadi being restored

Hassan: Lost under bushes and stones,  a centuries old Jain basadi that people passed by without giving  a second glance in Hale Belagola village of Shravanabelagola, is being painstakingly restored stone by stone by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, which hopes to have it ready in time for the 2018 Bahubali’s Mahamastakabisheka Mahatosava.

Thought to have been built in phases from either the eighth or ninth century to the 11th century, the basadi, which reflects Dravidian and Gangan architecture, went unnoticed until a request was made by the Shravanabelaola Mutt to the officials concerned to restore it ahead of Bahubali’s Mahamastakabisheka next year. 

 The department has its work cut out as the ancient basadi is buried under stone and run over by bushes, so much so that villagers , who passed by it,  were completely in the dark about its historical significance. 

“We merely looked indifferently at the basadi from a distance every time we passed,” said a few locals, surprised at the ongoing activity to dig it out from under the thick vegetation covering it.

 The stones of the basadi will be cleaned with water before they are reset  once its foundation is strengthened. The damaged stones will be replaced with replicas.

 The project has got underway with '85 lakh  grant received from both the department of tourism and the organisers of the Mahamastakabisheka.

 “We hope to finish resetting the stones of the basadi by December,” said Mr Dorairaj of the Department of Archaeology, Museum and Heritage.

 Besides the  Jain basadi, a Kalyani, water pond in the village is also being restored at a cost of Rs 14 lakh.