Tourism Minister H K Patil discusses with officials during his visit to the 64-pillar pavilion of the tomb of Vijayanagara King Sri Krishnadevaraya near Anegondi in Koppal taluk on Tuesday.
Credit: DH Photo
Koppal: There is a shortage of security personnel to protect monuments in the Anegondi area of Gangavati taluk in the district, which has many places of historical significance from the Vijayanagara era.
There are 74 state-protected heritage sites belonging to the Archaeological Museums and Heritage Department in the Anegondi area alone.
However, security personnel have been deployed at only three places (Huchappayyan Mutt, Narasimha Temple and Pampasarovar) to maintain and provide information about these.
As some areas are two to three km away, they are unable to keep vigil in all the surrounding monuments.
The locals complain that there is a lack of maintenance in many places.
All the monuments in this area, including the 64-pillared mantap of Anegondi, which is the tomb of King Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire, were declared state-protected sites in 1988. Locals say that even after three and a half decades of this declaration, no security measures have been taken.
The famous Anjanadri Hill is five to six km from Anegondi. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists visit this area. Sleeping, playing cards, drinking alcohol, and smoking by anti-social elements are common in these monuments of the Vijayanagara era.
Recently, a youth cut meat on the Krishnadevaraya tomb, causing outrage among history lovers.
“Many domestic and foreign tourists visit Anegondi as well as Hampi to see the monuments of the Vijayanagara era. But they do not know where the 74 protected monuments are. Important information boards have not been installed. Thus, people slaughter animals everywhere without knowledge. The department should also take action to prevent this,” said history researcher Siddalingappa Kotnekal.
Action will be taken to protect monuments, says Patil
Tourism Minister H K Patil visited and inspected the 64-pillar pavilion of the tomb of Vijayanagara king Sri Krishnadevaraya near Anegondi in Koppal taluk on Tuesday.
Later, speaking to the media, he said, “People’s sentiments have been hurt because meat sale was held at the Samadhi Mantap. Even if it is an accidental incident, it will not be taken lightly. I have spoken to the commissioner and asked him to take serious action. I will also discuss it with the Home Minister.”
“It is not enough to just hold Hampi Utsav and organise entertainment programmes. We must respect the antiquities,” he added.
FIR filed against three
An FIR has been registered at the Gangavati Rural Police Station on Tuesday against three people who cut meat at the 64-pillar pavilion of the tomb of Vijayanagara king Sri Krishnadevaraya near Anegondi in the taluk.
A complaint has been filed against Hanumant, Fakirappa Madder and Hulagappa Madder of Anegondi village, who desecrated the place of worship, said State Archaeological Department Hampi Division Deputy Director R Shejeshwar.