Historic Monuments Restoration Ordered After Hampi Temple Mishap

This directive follows the collapse of a portion of the 'Salu Mantapa' at the Car Street of the famed Sri Virupaksha Temple due to heavy rainfall last Tuesday.

Currently, about 38 monuments in Hampi fall under the state archaeology department, while 57 are managed by the ASI.

"I have visited the site and held discussions with officials. I have asked the archaeology department to identify damages and submit a proposal to the competent authorities," Divakar told the Deccan Chronicle.

The restoration work on the Salu Mantapa is already underway, with the ASI having completed the restoration of 500 meters of the structure.

Meanwhile, Vishwanatha Malagi, president of the Vijayanagara Smaraka Samskruthi Samrakshana Sene, has called on the government to allocate funds collected from Hampi's entry tickets for local restoration projects. "The restoration of various buildings, including the Salu Mantapa near Sri Virupaksha Temple, Sri Krishna Temple, and also Veera Harihara Palace, is needed. We have submitted a memorandum, but according to officials, funding remains a constraint," Malagi said.

"During peak tourist season, Hampi attracts about 1 lakh visitors per day. The annual revenue from entry tickets ranges between Rs 40-50 crore. Utilizing this revenue locally would eliminate the need to wait for additional government grants, and the restoration works can be undertaken easily," he added.

Hampi, situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, founded by Harihara and Bukka in 1336. The city fell to Deccan Sultanate forces in 1565 and was subsequently abandoned after extensive pillaging. Despite the ravages of time and human actions, the ruins of Hampi continue to reflect the grandeur of its historical legacy. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing numerous tourists from within the country and outside keen to witness its ancient splendor.