Karnataka Eyes Revival Of Barkur Heritage, 100 Rathotsavas Planned
The minister said he has directed the district administration to submit a detailed report on the proposal. He added that a study committee will be constituted to prepare an action plan.
Udupi: The Karnataka government is exploring an ambitious plan to revive the historical and cultural legacy of Barkur in Udupi district with the proposal to organise at least 100 Rathotsavas annually forming a key part of the broader initiative, Tourism Minister HK Patil said on Wednesday.
Barkur, situated on the banks of the Seetha River about 20 km from Udupi, has links to prehistoric times. It was one of the capitals of the Alupa dynasty and later served as the northern administrative headquarters of the coastal region under the Hoysala and Vijayanagara kingdoms. It is said that the Barkuru region had about 365 temples.
Speaking after a review meeting with the Udupi Deputy Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat CEO, Patil said the focus was on restoring the past prominence of Barkur, once the capital of the Alupa dynasty.
“Historians and experts say there was a time when a Rathotsava was held almost every day in Barkur. Many of those temples are no longer visible today. We are now exploring the possibility of starting with 100 rathotsavas in a year,” he said.
He stated that the move is part of a larger effort to reconnect people with the region’s heritage and bring back its lost historical significance. “This will help attract people and communities who originally had links with the area and also position Barkur as a major tourism destination,” he added.
The minister said he has directed the district administration to submit a detailed report on the proposal. He added that a study committee will be constituted to prepare an action plan.
Patil also reviewed progress under the ‘Jnana Bhandara’ initiative aimed at digitising and preserving manuscripts. He instructed officials to expedite the process, noting that the programme ensures manuscripts remain with their owners while their contents are documented and archived.
On beach tourism, he said issues related to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms were discussed, and officials have been asked to submit a detailed proposal. “We will take it up with the Centre,” he assured.