International Heritage Foundation Steps In to Develop Karnataka's Lakkundi Open Museum
In a significant development for Karnataka's cultural heritage, the Lakkundi heritage site in Gadag district is now capturing international attention. The Italy- and Greece-based Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF), a non-profit organization with its operational office in Bengaluru, has formally come forward to develop a planned open museum at this historically rich location.
Foundation Brings Global Expertise to Chalukya Era Sites
Sharanu Gogeri, Commissioner of the Lakkundi Heritage Area Development Authority in Gadag, confirmed to media sources that the Karnataka state government has already purchased three acres of land specifically to establish this open museum. "Now the Deccan Heritage Foundation, which possesses extensive experience in preserving, restoring, and promoting the architectural heritage of India's Deccan region, has stepped forward," Gogeri explained. "Their approach involves bringing together specialists, local communities, and patrons to undertake comprehensive conservation and educational programs."
DHF officials and experts, including co-founders Helen Philon and Stephane Bloch Saloz, along with Alexander and other team members, recently conducted a detailed site visit. They meticulously studied all archaeological items discovered in recent excavations and thoroughly reviewed the land reserved for the open museum project.
The foundation has already demonstrated its conservation capabilities through successful projects like the preservation of the Nagakunda stepwell in Sudi, Ron taluk, and numerous other heritage sites belonging to royal families across South India. Gogeri emphasized that DHF's role is primarily as a donor and technical partner for preserving monumental sites, and they plan to develop the Lakkundi open museum in a unique and innovative manner.
Bilingual Guidebook Publication Announced for March
Helen Philon of DHF expressed enthusiasm about the Lakkundi site, calling it a "wonderful place to visit." She revealed concrete plans already in motion: "We are preparing to publish a comprehensive guidebook of approximately 120 pages, available in both English and Kannada, focusing on the monuments of Lakkundi, Dambal, and Gadag. This publication is scheduled for release on March 15."
This follows DHF's previous publication of a similar guidebook covering the heritage sites of Badami, Aihole, and Pattadkal. Notably, the upcoming guidebook marks the first time the foundation will publish a heritage guide in the Kannada language, making the historical information more accessible to local communities.
Partnership with State Archaeology Department
Saicharan Palakurthi, Project Manager at DHF, stated that the foundation is fully prepared to collaborate with the Karnataka state archaeological department to provide specialized expertise. "Our recent visit to Lakkundi aimed to deeply understand the landscape and archaeological context of the place," Palakurthi said. "As the government floated a tender for the museum development, we have applied and are hopeful about securing the project. Simultaneously, we have already commenced work on the guidebook."
Rich Historical Context of Gadag-Lakkundi Region
Although relatively unfamiliar to mainstream tourists, the area surrounding Gadag and Lakkundi in central northern Karnataka is exceptionally rich in historical monuments, predominantly associated with the Chalukya kings who ruled this part of the Deccan plateau during the 11th and 12th centuries.
The region's architectural highlights include:
- The magnificent stepwells at Lakkundi and Sudi
- The Shri Trikuteshwara Temple in Gadag featuring its unique trio of linga shrines
- The Mallikarjuna Temple at Kuruvatti overlooking the Tungabhadra River, erected by King Someshvara-II in memory of his father
- The Mahadeva Temple at Itagi with its intricately carved exterior
- The Doddabasappa Temple in Dambal, designed on a distinctive 24-point, star-shaped plan
All these monuments and more will be extensively described in the forthcoming publication "Chalukya Splendours," which will also feature historical introductions to the Chalukya dynasty and their successors in this region of Karnataka, contributed by specialist scholars.
About the Deccan Heritage Foundation
Founded by architectural historians Helen Philon and George Michell, with Stephane Bloch Saloz serving as co-founder, the Deccan Heritage Foundation represents a global collective of scholars, philanthropists, and heritage conservation professionals. Their mission focuses on restoring, maintaining, and educating the public about the built heritage of the Deccan region through collaborative international efforts.
