Infosys foundation revives Chola-era Kalyani

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy inaugurated a revived Kalyani (temple tank) on the premises of the Chola-era Vasantha Vallabharaya Temple in South Bengaluru on Monday.

The Infosys Foundation restored the tank, which faced the threat of being reduced to half its size by land grabbers, to its original form.

Legend has it that Chhatrapati Shivaji’s father Shahaji Raje Bhonsle constructed the Kalyani sometime in the mid 17th century to mark the acquisition of Bengaluru as his jagir. It is said Bhonsle had won this jagir after defeating Kempegowda-III.

Over a period of time, the temple tank, which is spread over two acres on paper, was in danger of disappearing due to officials apathy.

The foundation has spent Rs 8.5 crore for the restoration work and handed over the tank to the muzrai department in the presence of the chief minister.

DH had earlier reported the attempts to grab the temple tank and money meant for the Kalyani development.