Nine ‘Smaraka Mitras’ adopt 18 monuments in Karnataka

Two years after “Adopt a Monument -  Namma Smaraka” scheme was launched, 18 state-protected heritage monuments from across Karnataka have been adopted from a total of more than 800 monuments.

As many as nine stakeholders, including seven institutions, one family, and an individual, have adopted these and have become “Smaraka Mitras.” Two more stakeholders have come forward to adopt three more monuments, including one in Mysuru and two in Uttara Kannada district. 

Commissioner of  Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage (DAMH) A Devaraju informed this to the DH. 

“Five of adopted monuments are in Kalaburagi, six in Chikkaballapura, and one each in Mandya, Bengaluru, Kodagu, Gadag, Koppal, Vijayapura and Bidar districts,” Devaraju said. 

He added that the works on two monuments have been completed and works on three are underway. Foundation stone for works on six monuments will begin soon. MoU is in the final stages for adoption of seven monuments by three stakeholders. The department is entering MoU with two more stakeholders, who have come forward to adopt three more monuments.

This scheme is taken up by the Mysuru-based DAMH in collaboration with Tourism department, to conserve, protect heritage monuments of Karnataka and improve tourism amenities. Interested stakeholders can submit proposal through https://www.eproc.karnataka.gov.in.

DAMH officials and the District Empowered Committee for Monument adoption, led by the deputy commissioner, approve it. Then the process of DPR and MoU will be taken up as per the guidelines of scheme. Smaraka Mitras can take up conservation of monuments, create basic amenities around them for visitors and maintain them for minimum five years. 

Works taken up

Brigade Foundation has completed the conservation work of Venkatappa Art Gallery in Bengaluru. Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) has completed the conservation work of Gagan Mahal at Anegundi of Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district. 

Conservation and creation of basic amenities of Taj Bawadi in Vijayapura district has been taken up with World Bank fund. The works are in the final stages. 

DHF, along with Gandhipet Welfare Society, Hyderabad, has taken up the restoration and rejuvenation of Nagakunda Pushkarini at Sudi and in Gajendragad taluk of Gadag district. Sudha Janardhan has taken up the conservation of steps of Sri Yoganarasimhaswamy temple of Melkote of Mandya district. 

Discovery Village Foundation has adopted six heritage monuments in Chikkaballapur district. Krishnakrithi Foundation has expressed interest to conserve three monuments, including Yadgir fort in Yadgir district; Basavakalyana fort in Bidar district; and Malakkheda fort in Sedam taluk, Kalaburgi district. 

United Way Bengaluru has expressed interest to adopt four monuments in Naagaavi, Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district. Singhal Iyer family has expressed interest to adopt ‘Naalkanaadu Palace’ at Kakkabbe, Madikeri taluk, Kodagu district.

Meanwhile, Green Care Foundation has come up with a proposal to adopt, create basic amenities of Mahanthi Mutt, Sonda, Ramatheertha and Ramalinga temples in Uttarakannada district. Vibhu Academy has come forward to adopt Sri Lakshmikantha temple at Kalale in Nanjangud taluk of Mysuru district. 

“There are more than 800 state-protected monuments in Karnataka. Besides conservation and protection of monuments, the scheme aims to create awareness about the monuments and cultural and heritage value of Karnataka, besides promoting tourism,” Devaraju said.