The monuments at Shravanabelagola in Hassan and Lakkundi in Gadag districts are set to be proposed for inclusion on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites by the State Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage (DAMH).
The procedure for inclusion in the list of world heritage sites is a long one. The Tentative List provides a forecast of the properties that a State Party may decide to submit for inscription in the next five to ten years. To be considered for final declaration as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a monument must first be nominated for inclusion on the Tentative List. and the monuments must be on the list for at least one year before being proposed for inscription as a UNESCO site by the State party.
The UNESCO Tentative List currently includes 50 Indian monuments, some of which have been on the list for more than two decades. Each year, the Centre and the ASI decide which monuments will be nominated. After a nine-year wait under the Tentative List, the Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebidu, and Somanathapur were inscribed as World Heritage Sites.
Shravanabelagola is a key Jain pilgrimage site in Karnataka. It is famous for the statue of Gomateshwaraa, considered to be one of the world’s tallest free-standing monolithic statues. It was carved from a single stone and consecrated in 981 CE. The massive statue can be seen from up to 30 kilometres away. To get a close-up view, one must climb nearly 700 steps hewn into the rock face. Located about 150 kilometres northwest of Bengaluru, Shravanabelagola is also where the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta Maurya is said to have spent his final days.
The closest airport to Shravanabelagola is located in Mysuru, which is 85 kilometres away. There is also a train station in Shravanabelagola that offers daily train services connecting to Bengaluru.
Located on the way to Hampi, Lakkundi, also known as 'Lokkigundi', was a significant city a thousand years ago. It was one of the capitals of the Hoysala Empire. There are over 50 ruins of ancient temples scattered throughout the village, dating back to the periods of the Chalukyas, Kalachuris, and Suena. The area has over 100 stepwells, also known as 'kalyani', each displaying stunning architectural beauty. A few of the temples and stepwells have been restored and are protected by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI). Do visit the Sculpture Gallery here which is operated by the ASI.
Lakkundi is 375 km from Bengaluru. The nearest airport is in Hubballi (around 70 km). Another is the Sambre Airport at Belgaum (128 km away). The nearest railway station is Gadaga junction (around 13 km). You can visit during the Lakkundi Utsava held in February/March every year and watch folk dances and other musical performances, and more.
