Ballari: With several ancient ‘saalu mantapas’ in Krishna Bazar, opposite Krishna temple at the world famous Hampi collapsing due to heavy rain that lashed the UNESCO world heritage site on Tuesday evening, fears have been raised about the stability of a few other important structures in the area, prompting the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to issue a warning to the public to “stay away from the ancient monuments”.
Some portions of the Shiva temple, popularly known as Varaha temple, Ananthashayana, Pattabhirama, Vittala, Krishna and Virupaksha temples are said to be weak and rainfall in the area has further weakened the structures. According to a senior ASI official, about 15 structures are in a precarious condition, and their partial collapse in heavy rain cannot be ruled out.
In the recent past, portions of the Kudre Mantapa, the domed gate, the Janana enclosure wall and the ‘pushkarni' on Bazaar Street near the Vittala temple have collapsed. “As an immediate step, we are planning to erect flex boards and make announcements requesting tourists to stay away from the ancient monuments, and especially avoid taking shelter under them during rain,” Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Hampi circle Mr Prakash Nayakanda told Deccan Chronicle.
As a long-term plan, Mr Prakash said that he along with his colleagues is planning to study the drainage system of Vijayanagar period to channelize the rain water into the Tungabhadra River.
Taking advantage of geological formation of Hampi, architects of Vijayanagar period have built stoned Bazaar mantapas in the flat land between two hills or hillocks and marvelous temples on one end of the hill and converted hillocks into natural barriers to protect rich temples and bazaars from intruders.
“Collapse of saalu mantapas may not be a new phenomenon, it might have happened even in the Vijayanagar era. Since, the mantapas of bazaars built in valley area; it is natural that rain water gushes into the mantapas. Hence, the architects of Vijayanagara period have built sacred tanks beside the temple which were also designed for water harvesting then”, Mr Prakash remarked.
