Lakkundi and beyond: Karnataka's heritage beneath beckons

Hubballi: As researchers begin removing fine dust from relics at the Lakkundi excavation site in Gadag district, fresh hope has emerged of connecting multiple dots in the region’s long history.

Earlier excavations at Lakkundi — a prominent religious and administrative centre under Kalyani Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Kalachuris and Vijayanagara rulers — had unearthed thousands of artefacts, establishing that Lakkundi is not a human habitation of just a few centuries, but dates back to the Neolithic period, several thousand years ago.

Archaeologists say the fresh excavation is expected to yield inscriptions, monuments, sculptures and ornaments linked to Karnataka’s medieval history, while also helping understand Lakkundi’s rich heritage and the cultural and social evolution of human habitation in the region.

The research may explain how Lokkigundi, a village elaborately described in 11th- and 12th-century inscriptions across south India as a coin-minting centre, came to be known as Lakkundi.

Since the state department of archaeology, museums and heritage (DAMH) began excavation on January 16 at a 10x10 metre site between Kote Veerabhadreshwara temple and Siddarabahavi, researchers have stumbled upon over 50 archaeologically important relics, including a Shiva linga, stone columns, coins, bones and precious stones like sapphires and pearls.

Lakkundi was a confluence of Vaishnava, Shaiva and Jain beliefs, with multiple temples dedicated to these traditions.

Lakkundi Heritage Area Development Authority commissioner Sharanu Gogeri says Lakkundi was once known as the land of 101 temples and wells.

“While many of these temples are buried under present-day settlements, 60–70 are still visible. They need to be excavated and preserved,” he says.

Over the years, DAMH officials and researchers have recovered more than 1,050 artefacts from residential areas, which they wish to display in an open air museum.

Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF), a non-profit organization which has restored multiple historical sites in Deccan Plateau, has shown interest in conserving these artefacts in an open museum.

Sources associated with the excavation say many monuments, idols and historically important artefacts have become part of house foundations or walls.

As the government issues notices to several families to vacate such properties, silent resistance is brewing. Sharanayya Chowkimutt is one such resident who has received a notice to vacate his ancestral house, an extension of the Mahanteshwara temple.

“My last five generations have lived in this house. Now, we have received a notice to vacate. We will not oppose the government and are willing to move out if alternative land and housing are provided,” he says.

While most residents of Lakkundi are cooperating for the overall development of the historic site, they are demanding alternative arrangements — a difficult task given that the government has been unable to relocate families encroaching multiple temples in Aihole for years.

“As of now, there is no proposal before us to relocate families. A decision has to be taken at the government level,” Gogeri says, adding that a detailed project report is being prepared for conservation of 25 newly proposed sites at an estimated cost of Rs 1.86 crore.

Without clearing modern-day housing, restoring Lakkundi’s full glory will be difficult.

The renewed excavation at Lakkundi has drawn attention to several other historical and pre-historic sites in the state awaiting exploration. While Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal have received international recognition for their architectural marvels, residents say vast unexplored history still awaits researchers’ attention.

Activist Istaling Sirsi says treasure hunters continue to dig at unprotected sites, damaging monuments or making away with artefacts.

“The Badami–Aihole–Pattadakal trinity is considered the cradle of Hindu rock architecture, yet these sites remain unprotected. Further excavation can reveal missing historical insights,” he says.

For the past two years, Chalukya Development Authority officials have been unable to relocate 82 families from Aihole. Though 13 acres of land has been identified and Rs 8 crore allocated, residents are unwilling to move there as the land is barren and “unfit for human settlement”. More than 100 temples and Chalukya-era monuments remain encroached.

Another site needing urgent conservation is Sirival village in Yadgir’s Shahapur taluk. “Situated on the banks of Bhima river, this Rashtrakuta-period site is neglected. Locals are using monuments for defecation and other purposes. It needs immediate restoration,” says Srikumar M Menon, researcher at National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru.

Hunasagi, also in Yadgir district, has been crying for government attention to conserve pre-historic sites that are being replaced by paddy fields under irrigation projects.

Shobha R, assistant professor in the department of studies in ancient history and archaeology in the University of Mysore, says irrigation over the past 150 years has adversely impacted several archaeological sites in old Mysuru region.

“Hemmige near T Narsipur is one such site that lost most of its archaeological remains due to agricultural expansion. Only 10% of historically important locations survive in T Narsipur. Talakadu remains the only promising site in the Mysuru region that needs further exploration,” she says.

Along with Lakkundi, the government has given green signal for excavation at Rajaghatta (near Doddaballapur in Bengaluru rural district), one of south India’s important Buddhist sites.

She says excavation work is often assigned to DAMH, which lacks adequate staff. “The government should entrust universities with the task of undertaking research by providing required permissions and funds,” she says.