Parliament Question: Conservation of Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5871 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 CONSERVATION OF SACRED ENSEMBLES OF THE HOYSALAS 5871. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA: Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state: (a) the details of the funds allocated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the conservation of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura, since their UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 2023, along with the specific conservation works carried out at each site, year wise; (b) the details of steps taken to develop and conserve St. Mary’s Island in Karnataka, which has recently been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List, including the funds allocated and the timeline for its formal nomination; (c) the list of the 15 archaeological sites announced for development in Budget 2026-27, along with their locations, including the funds allocated therefor; and (d) the details of the National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid announced in Budget 2026-27, including the number of heritage sites in Karnataka that is likely to be covered and the timeline for their digital documentation? ANSWER MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT) (a) The details of the funds allocated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the conservation of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura along with the specific conservation works carried out at each site, year wise, during the last three years are given at Annexure-I (b) St. Mary’s Islands are a group of four tiny islands, forming an NNW-SSE chain for about 6 km, situated off Malpe in Udupi District on the west coast of India, in Karnataka. They were listed on UNESCO’s Tentative List in 2025 under the Natural category. The sites are protected by the Coastal Regulation Zones of the Government of India and have been declared a National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India since 1978. (c) The list of the 15 archaeological sites announced for development in Budget 2026-27 is attached in Annexure-II. Specific fund allocated is being finalized. Conservation and development works of all protected monuments, including the 15 archaeological sites, is undertaken as per requirement and from funds allocated to ASI. (d) National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, execution is under planning stage.ANNEXURE – I STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5871 FOR 30.03.2026. The details of the funds allocated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for the conservation of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura (Amount in Rs.) Name of Monument Financial Year 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Channakeshava Temple, Belur 3764390/- 1575072/- 1577157/- Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu 44623847/- 2062201/- 304406/- Keshava Temple, Somanathpura 5987698/- 967390/- 342622/- The details of specific conservation works carried out by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura Name of Financial Year Monument 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 Channakeshava 1. Resetting of Old Undulated paving stone 1. Repairs to General Temple, Belur inside the temple area. the damaged Maintenance, 2. Repairs to the damaged Gopura of the temple Gopura of the cleaning etc. (Ongoing). temple (On- 3. Upgradation of Existing Toilet Block. going). No major 4. Relaying the schist stone pathway, contextual 2. Regular Up conservation signages , Facility signages, Water Facility, keeping and work Dustbins, Signages, CCTV Cameras, Ramp etc Maintenance. 5. Upgradation of Electrification work, Fixing of Loose sculptures and documentation. 6. Weathering Proof Course to Sanskrit Paathashala and cloister mandapa. 6. Display of Interpretation Boards inside Monument. 7. Rejuvenation of Kalyani (Tank) 8.Regular Up keeping and Maintenance. Hoysaleswara 1. Relaying the schist stone pathway, contextual Regular Up General Temple, signages, Facility signages, Water Facility, keeping and Maintenance, Halebidu Dustbins, Signages, stone benches, grill painting. Maintenance. cleaning etc. 2. Construction of Interpretation Centre. 3. Up gradation of Museum Building. No major 4. Upgradation & Extension of Toilet block. conservation 5. Installation of CCTV Camera, Vegetation work removal, 6. Arrangement and Display of Loose sculptures. 7. Upgradation of Parking Area by laying interlock pavement tiles. 8. Regular Up keeping and Maintenance.Keshava 1. Providing Benches, Dustbins, Signages, Water Regular Up General Temple, Kiosk. keeping and Maintenance, Somanathpura 2. Upgradation of Toilet Block. Maintenance. cleaning etc. 3. Upgradation of VIP Room. No major 4. Upgradation of Ticket Counter. conservation 5. Regular Up keeping and Maintenance. workANNEXURE – II STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5871 FOR 30.03.2026. The list of the 15 Archaeological Sites announced for development in Budget 2026-27. S. No. Site Chronological Period State/UT 1. Lothal Gujarat c.2400 – 1900BCE 2. Adichanallur c.1000 – 600BCE Tamil Nadu 3. Sarnath 3rd century BCE onwards Uttar Pradesh 4. Dholavira c.3000 – 1500BCE Gujarat 5. Rakhigarhi c.2600 – 1900BCE Haryana 6. Hastinapur c. 1200 BCE – Gupta Uttar Pradesh period 7. Agroha 1st century BCE –18th century Haryana CE 8. Udayagiri 2nd century CE–12th century Odisha CE 9. Sannati 3rd century BCE – 3rd century Karnataka CE 10. Leh Palace 17th century CE Ladakh 11. Chittorgarh Fort 7th–16th century CE Rajasthan 12. Jhansi Fort 17th century CE - 19th CE Uttar Pradesh 13. Purana Qila 12th century BCE to 19th Delhi century CE 14. Eran 2nd millennium BCE to 16th Madhya Pradesh century CE 15. Sibasagar 13th century CE to19th Assam century CE -----