Chandramauleshwar Temple. Photo by © Global Heritage Fund Hampi, India Ancient City of the Vijayanagara Hindu Kingdom
Site Significance Project Goals
Founded in 1336, the site of Hampi, Of significance is the fact that the work on Karnataka, is located on the banks of the this temple is the first pilot project in Karnataka Tungabhadra River with a backdrop of for the restoration of a State Protected majestic rock boulders and was the capital of Monument in the UNESCO World Heritage the Vijayanagara Kingdom. The 15th century Site of Hampi, and is further a pioneering Chandramauleshwar Temple is centrally initiative of public-private partnership by the located in Hampi and is one of the site’s most Hampi Foundation and the Government of prominent buildings, aligned with the primary Karnataka. By establishing best practices in axis of Vithhala Temple and overlooking two this project, it can serve as an exemplar for rivers on a popular pilgrimage route to a future preservation projects within the site and sacred mountain at Hampi. In 1986, UNESCO across the region. Threats inscribed the group of monuments at Hampi Urbanization & unplanned development as a World Heritage site. More recently in Preservation by Design® Environmental Threats 1999 Hampi was listed by UNESCO on the Lack of Cultural Resource Management List of World Heritage in Danger prompted Planning by the construction of two new suspension A Master Conservation Plan for the temple and Start Date bridges and a new major road within the Core its environs was identified as the first necessary 2004 Protected Area which threaten the World step before any other work could proceed, and Heritage site’s integrity. However in 2006 this was completed in 2004. Since that time, Hampi was removed from the List of World the focus has shifted to the stabilization of the Heritage in Danger after addressing the World temple and its associated structural features. Heritage Centre’s (WHC) concerns.
Global Heritage Fund, Current Projects Project Partnerships and analyzed to determine appropriate usage Recent Accomplishments and placement, both for structural integrity and • Hampi Foundation • Installation of support bracings and architectural and historical authenticity. shoring of the temple and its embank- • Cornell University ment walls.
• State of Karnataka Community • Consolidation of the upper embankment wall supporting the temple platform. The local community of Anegundi has supplied Conservation Science skilled stone masons and other craftsmen • Preparation of plans showing all labeled GHF is undertaking stabilization of the temple’s to work on the project, and discussions are embankment stones’ locations. foundation and conservation of the walls underway with the community to identify • Construction of a temporary rail track and roofs of the main hall and other sacred infrastructure and other needs. to ease the transportation of required chambers as well as the temple embankment materials while minimizing impact on the walls. A large number of structural components surrounding and subsurface archaeo- logical remains. of the main temple and plaza area are piled up around the temple and must be inventoried
Conservation of the Chandramauleshwar Temple underway. Photo by James Hooper
Restoration of embankment wall. Photo by James Hooper
Chandramauleshwar Temple is one of the most architecturally beautiful and centrally located temples in this endangered UNESCO World Heritage site.
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