Chandraumalueshvara Temple, Anegundi Hampi UNESCO World Heritage, Karnataka

In partnership with the State of Karnataka Department of Archaeology, the Hampi Foundation and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Global Heritage Fund is leading the master planning and world-class conservation of the Chandraumalueshvara Temple at Hampi, one of the most architecturally beautiful and centrally located temples in this endangered UNESCO World Heritage site. With the active support of the Karnataka Minister of Culture, the State of Karnataka Archaeology Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Global Heritage Fund is bringing this ancient Hindu site back to life and helping ensure its protection.

Chandraumalueshvara Temple is centrally located in Hampi and is one of the most prominent architectural buildings which is aligned with the primary axis of the Main Temple of Hampi overlooking two rivers and on a popular pilgrimage route to a sacred mountain at Hampi. Dating from the 13-15th century at the height of the Vijayangar Kingdom, the Chandraumalueshvara Temple provides a unique opportunity to encapsulate a period of Indian glory in a spectacular natural setting.

Chandraumalueshvara Temple’s historical significance and unique monumental construction, as well as its ideal location at the confluence of two rivers overlooking the entire central Hampi gives this endangered heritage site its high priority for GHF within the Hampi complex. The ancient temple and its fortifications along with an ancient ruined bridge, and intricately carved walls, doorways, pillars and interiors, will be extremely popular for travelers and pilgrims.

Above: 280 degree view of central Hampi UNESCO World Heritage site from the Richikun Hill of Chandraumalueshvara Temple. Its unique location makes Chandraumalueshvara Temple ideal for conservation and world-class interpretation of Hampi’s history, unique geological location and importance as one of India’s greatest kingdoms.

Integrated Conservation and Intepretation The unique opportunity for the Chandraumalueshvara Temple site is to provide a central visitation point for Hampi that provides in-depth history and interpretation of temple conservation and archaeology. This will be one of the first temples at Hampi which will be completely conserved using the latest scientific methods and the only site with an integrated ancient bridge reconstructed and useable for visitors. Additionally, the temple will present its unique history and its conservation using the best examples of on-site museum displays based on authenticated historical research. GHF has assembled a world-class planning and conservation team led by Ms. Abha Lamdah, a renown historic architect in India who has led numerous large-scale conservation efforts. In addition, a world-class Technical Expert Committee has been formed with deep experience at Hampi and in archaeological conservation including:

Hampi Conservation Technical Expert Committee

• Rama Krishna, Director, Archaeology, State of Karnataka
• Nalini Thakur, Professor, New Delhi School of Planning and Architecture
• John Fritz, Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania
• Rahul Merohtra, Bombay Institute of Urban Design and Visiting Professor,
Univeristy of Michigan
• Balasubramanya Rao, Professor of Ancient History and Archaeology Kannada
University
• Abha Narain Lambah, Historic Architect and Project Director
• Jeff Morgan, Executive Director, Global Heritage Fund

Above: North Elevation view from GHF and Hampi Foundation sponsored Master Conservation Plan (MCP), one of the first privately- funded archaeological conservation efforts by an international NGO to receive approvals from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Our goal is to make Chandraumalueshvara Temple a world-class example showcasing private-sector support for scientific conservation based on the deep experience and leadership of the State of Karnataka Archaeology Department and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), supported by an expert panel of archaeologists and conservationists experienced in Hampi architecture and conservation.

Chandraumalueshvara Temple is facing a number of immediate threats including:

• Collapsing gateways and fortification walls
• Deterioration of temple exterior/interior
• Misuse of temple for storage and refuse
• Animal and human feces
• Fire damage and scorching
• Water damage/leakage
• Plant growth and intrusion
• Looting and vandalism

After completing excavation and research in April, 2005, we are undertaking stabilization of the foundation and waterfront ramparts, and conservation of the walls and roofs for the main hall and other sacred chambers enabling the conservation to focus on restoration of exterior and interior gateways, doorways, plazas, sculptures and stairways, and the perimeter fortification. A large number of structural components of the main temple, plaza area, gateways and are piled up around the temple and must be inventoried and analyzed to determine appropriate usage and placement, both for structural integrity and architectural and historical authenticity.

Above and Below: Archaeological survey and research of the site was completed in April, 2005 so that a complete site conservation can be carried out based on complete archaeological recordings and understanding of the temples layers of settlements and soil engineering was undertaken to determine underlying foundation stability.

Inventory of Conservation Requirements

Site Conservation Plan Site Survey, Land Use and Mapping Archaeological and Historical Survey Architectural Design- Exterior and Interior Structural Analysis Conservation Priorities and Documentation Primary Temple Structure Structural analysis for stability and durability Reinforcement and stabilization of pillars and columns New Doors and entry sculptures Doorway reinforcement and restoration Water drainage and sealing Main Plaza and Gateways Inventory and analysis of architectural & sculptural components Resetting of entry plaza and primary foundation stones Restoration of gateways and arches on entry Rooftop Brick Temple Evaluate appropriate level of restoration of sculptures Reinforcement of structure Preservation of existing bricks and sculptures Removal of plant growth Temple Exterior Replacement of missing or looted stonework Roofline replacements Removal of painting and graffiti, plant growth Inventory of sculptures and replacement when available Cleaning and treatment Temple Interior Removal of carbon blackening and bat stains Cleaning and improvements Replacement of sacred temple sculptures Lighting and Entry Security Fortification and Stairways Survey and architectural design Rebuilding of walls and stairways Removal of vegetation, garbage and rubble Site Interpretation and Pathways Sacred Temple Components- Sculptures, Scripts Site Panels and Protection Signage Interior Historical Panels Tourism Pathway- River to Bridge

Above: Temple plaza and gateways in ruins with monumental sculpture and major architectural features with high potential for authentic restoration. Below: Falling entry archway threatens to cause exterior damage to main temple building and will soon collapse without intervention.

Above: Fortification walls are collapsing with potential to destabilize main temple monument. Fortification restoration will be integral in temple complex conservation. Below: This magnificent temple of the ‘Wise Man’ has a stable main structure with no recent conservation surrounded by piles of finely-sculptured pillars and walkways.

Top left: Collapsing entry gateway. Top right: Ruined temple doorway. Bottom left: Interior elaborately sculpted column with stains from fire. Bottom right: Finely carved exterior doorway sculpture painted over in white.

Master Conservation Planning
Each GHF Project’s conservation effort is backed by an approved comprehensive Master Conservation Plan (MCP). The MCP is the catalyst for community and stakeholder involvement. GHF ensures that the highest levels of expertise is integrated in the planning process as well as the conservation science used in archaeological conservation and authentic restoration of architecture. GHF conservation planning at each site brings world-class expertise and experience from our GHF Advisory Board and other India heritage and archaeological conservation experts.

The Master Conservation Plan incorporates an international approach to heritage and tourism, one that will take into account each site’s spectacular landscape, vernacular buildings of the surrounding villages, the traditional understanding of sacred sites, the monuments and ruins, as well as the needs of local communities. Under GHF planning, the modern concept of heritage encompasses the entire complex cultural eco-system, blending archeological aspects with environmental (natural landscape) and cultural aspects (traditional ways of life, music, dances, customs and folk arts). GHF is working to build world-class conservation teams and leadership for each site, provide technology, applications and expertise from our Global Heritage Network, and ensure the highest international standards in conservation science through our proprietary Preservation by Design methodology.

Site Significance – Historical Background
Hampi resides on the banks of the Thungabadra river with a backdrop of the majestic rock boulders was once capital of one of the largest Hindu Empires in Indian History. Founded in 1336, Hampi was the capital of an alliance of southern Hindu kingdoms that managed to hold off the invading Muslim armies for over two centuries.

The uniqueness of this site lies in vast area of monument complexes, the kingdom’s long reign as an advanced society and its unique architecture (which is Islamic for the secular buildings and purely Hindu for the religious structures). It has come to light in recent research that this capital city was actually the center of a large metropolitan region and not just a deserted city. Its fabulously rich princes built Dravidian temples and palaces that won the admiration of travelers between the 14th and 16th centuries until it was conquered by the Deccan Muslim confederacy in 1565, at which time the city was pillaged over a period of six months before being abandoned.

In 1986, UNESCO inscribed the group of monuments at Hampi as a World Heritage site. More recently, Hampi was listed by UNESCO on the List of World Heritage in Danger prompted by the construction of two new suspension bridges and a new major road within the Core Protected Area which threaten the World Heritage site's integrity. The construction of bridges and the new road will result in a major increase in heavy traffic and has already resulted in the dismantling and reconstruction of an important historic monument - a mandapa (a pillared stone rest-house) within the borders of the site.

Cradle of the Vijaynagara Civilization
A decade of research at Hampi between 1987-1997 by scholars has revealed a much larger area of settlement around the urban core and World Heritage Zone, where a large population lived and transformed the landscape. The Vijaynagar Greater Metropolitan region of approximately 650 square kilometers includes an enormous wealth of built structures, archaeological sites and natural features -- including forts (evidence of as many as 10), walled settlements (5), temples and religious sites, mortuary sites, tanks, canals, fields, trade routes, civic structures and remains of industrial sites. All these structures are located in the unique natural landscape of Tungabhadra, famous for its watershed and boulders.

Temples from this ruined city are known for their large size and wealth of sculptures depicting subjects from the India epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata. The Hampi complex is famous for the Vithala Temple Complex, Ugra Narasimha. The highlight of the ruins is the Vitthala Temple, whose outer pillars, known as the Musical Pillars, reverberate when tapped. The stone chariot in front of the temple is one of many important monumental sculptures.

The Vijayanagar Kings were great patrons of art and architecture as evident by the vast ruins of Hampi. Excavations at the Hampi complex have revealed a temple, a three-level accessory structure attached to the Queen's Bath, a 64-pillared mantapa inside the Dandanayaka enclosure (assumed to be the seat of justice), an underground water pipeline and several items of daily use. South of the zenana enclosure, which houses the Lotus Mahal, archaeologists unearthed a temple, belonging to the early Vijayanagar period, dedicated to Yellamma, a folk goddess.

Conservation Challenges at Hampi
Beyond the ongoing deterioration of the monuments and sculptures throughout Hampi, there exist serious problems in the current site designation, land use, and the implementation of cultural heritage policies and regulations at Hampi. Only a few monuments in the citadel area of Hampi were designated UNESCO World Heritage or National Heritage, where as the actual setting and the context was not. As well, recent research shows that many important monuments exist outside the protected area that are facing complete devastation, with many being used for building materials of modern structures within the town.

Conservation of historic Hampi has been underway since the end of the 19th century, but much of the conservation work has lacked proper sciences or documentation resulting in poor restoration. A great deal of work at Hampi has been piece-meal in nature and each monument has experienced a wide range of conservation techniques, many unsuccessful.

Primary Threats to Hampi World Heritage

		Urbanization and Unplanned Development Encroaching infrastructure and uncontrolled construction of buildings are a constant threat to Hampi as only 58 of the 550 total monuments hold heritage protection status. Encroaching urbanization continues to threaten the site as a result of the ever-increasing population and growing pressures from tourism. The most recent threat is a proposed new bridge across the Tungabhadra River.
		Environmental Threats Stone quarrying, ramped pollution, as well as encroaching agriculture currently threatens Hampi.
		Lack of Cultural Resource Management Hampi’s future is falling victim to the politics of three major controlling authorities (National, State and District) that work independently and parallel to each other.

GHF Partners in Conservation
Success in establishing long-term protection for Hampi requires the combined support of leading conservation groups, U.S. and Indian foundations and government agencies, and the local community and businesses. Global Heritage Fund has formed an Executive Council of Partners in Conservation who are leading the fundraising and lobbying effort, as well as master planning and conservation at Hampi focused on the Northwest Sector and Anegundi area.

Vijayangar Steel Corporation
The largest and most important industrial concern in the Northern Karnataka region, the Vijayangar Steel Corporation and its leadership have committed to matching Global Heritage Fund’s financial investment into Hampi planning and conservation, effectively doubling GHF’s contributions dollar-for-dollar. We are extremely indebted to their commitment and concern for the cultural patrimony of the Karnataka region and Indian Heritage.

New Dehli School of Planning and Architecture
Professor Nalini Thakur has been an early GHF Partner in Conservation and is deeply involved in the conservation and planning efforts at Hampi, completing in 2003 Hampi World Heritage site’s first Master Conservation Plan. Professor Thakur serves on GHF Hampi’s Technical Expert Committee and provides advise and support for all GHF efforts in India Heritage conservation.

ASI and State of Karnataka, Department of Archaeology
As all monuments within Hampi are either under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the State Minister of Culture, GHF has been working closely with both organizations for planning, approvals and quality assessment of all conservation work at Chandraumalueshvara Temple and throughout Hampi. At the State-level, GHF is extremely enthused about the strong enthusiasm and cooperation from our working partnership with the on-site teams from the Department of Archaeology.