In a country strapped for cash for the protection of monuments, the public-private partnership (PPP) model of the Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Dharmothana Trust and the State government has emerged as a shining example for restoration of heritage structures to protect it for posterity.
The trust, established in 1991 by Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade, is set to achieve a milestone in its inspiring saga of restoration as the foundation stone for the 200th such initiative will be laid on March 14.
A.H. Hariram Shetty, Director of the trust, told The Hindu that an ancient Shiva temple in a dilapidated state at Srinivasnagar in Chickballapur is being taken up for restoration at a cost of Rs. 39 lakh. “The event holds special significance for the trust as it will be stepping into its 25th year of pursuing this noble objective,” said Mr. Shetty.
The trust has so far completed 132 restoration works across Karnataka under the PPP model. While it has taken up 68 works with its own funding, it recently signed a memorandum of understanding with JSW Foundation for restoration of an ancient temple at Talur village in Sandur taluk of Ballari district, according to Mr. Shetty.
For 2014–15, the trust and the Department of Archaeology and Museums, representing the State, have taken up 16 temples for restoration, spread over 10 districts in the State at a cost of Rs. 4.05 crore. The temples are located at Davangere, Dharwad, Gadag, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Chickballapur and Haveri districts, among others. The Hadinaru Kalu Mantapa on the banks of the Kapila in Nanjangud is one of the monuments to be restored by the trust.
C.G. Betsurmath, Commissioner, Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, said this was a unique model worth emulating as a CSR activity by corporate bodies.
“In Karnataka alone, there are 772 monuments protected by the State Archaeology Department and more than 700 under the Archaeological Survey of India. But, there are hundreds of other important but unprotected monuments that can be taken up for restoration to help conserve the country’s heritage and culture,” said Mr. Betsurmath.
The trust takes up architecturally significant temples or monuments that are more than 200 years old and in a dilapidated condition for restoration.
