The central government has announced a Rs 38-crore initiative to conserve and restore key monuments in Hampi, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project targets structures from the 14th to 16th centuries, including the Jain temples on Hemakuta Hill and the Saraswati temple complex at Singanayakanahalli.
Funding for the scheme is being mobilized through the National Culture Fund of the Union Ministry of Culture, with contributions from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) corporate social responsibility funds and the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS). Approximately Rs 19 crore of the total allocation is expected to be sourced via MPLADS. The Ministry of Culture will appoint a heritage conservation architect to prepare a detailed project report, which will assess the current condition of the monuments, identify specific conservation needs, and outline the technical documentation required before phased restoration begins.
The proposed works include comprehensive protection of the northern and southern bazaars adjoining the Virupaksha Temple, as well as the reconstruction of the western portion of a collapsed mandapa near the Sri Bhashyakara shrine within the Vittala Temple complex. The detailed project report will ultimately determine the technical scope and sequence of these restoration efforts, aiming to strengthen the preservation of Hampi’s architectural and cultural legacy.