BENGALURU: Abandoned and decaying buildings are part of the modern landscape. Bengaluru is no exception. It is fast losing its heritage structures in the name of development and urbanisation.
One such piece of history —a set of heritage structures in the ancient Vasantha Vallabharaya temple complex at Vasanthapura —is in complete ruins. Over time, it has become a waste dump.
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asanthapura is a small village in Bengaluru South taluk, located by the side of the road connecting Uttarahalli and Kanakapura Road.
Residents of ISRO Layout have expressed concern over the monumental neglect and fear that these historical structures are at risk of being lost.
Most of the stone structures are in a bad shape, which till the 1960s saw people performing the last rites of a person.
Residents feel these structures may have been constructed for travellers to take rest and perform religious rituals.
Going past forward, history researcher and indologist Githa U Badikillaya who visited and researched these structures said, “Since the nearby Bhavani Shankar temple is of the Maratha period, the ruined structures in Vasantpura are likely to belong to the Nayaka period.
This could have been a place for cremation and post funeral rites as it was far away from the main village of Bengaluru. During those days, it would not have been possible for everyone to travel to Srirangapatna due to transportation problems.”
Atop a hillock in the southern parts of the city is Vasanta Vallabharaya temple which is more than 1,000 years old and is now witnessing the revival of its temple tank. Raghuram Bhat, the temple priest, told Express,
“There is a proposal to revive these historical structures. However, there is opposition from some local people. So it would be easier for us if it is revived by the government as this ancient temple is part of the Muzarai department. We will write to the executive officer to take a decision on this issue as once this was part of the temple complex and was used for performing death ceremonies.”
Further, as per the Archeological Survey of India Report 1907, this place was known as a Harihar Kshetra and was ideal for carrying on last rites.
Researcher Githa Badikillaya said, “The rites are not performed by all priests only those specialised in it and this could have been an area where such priests resided and so people came to perform these related rites for the dead.
At some point of time, with lack of priests, the place has fallen into disuse. Today, it is a part of Bengaluru’s history and therefore, it should be revived to its past glory before it’s too late.”