BELAGAVI: Hooli, known as North Karnataka’s Hampi, is home to over a hundred temples, dating back to 9th and 12th centuries. But unlike Hampi, which enjoys protected World Heritage Site status, this ancient village near Saundatti in Belagavi is being marauded by treasure hunters.
Last week, a 9th-century Chalukya-era Ganesha temple collapsed after treasure hunters, in the dead of night, dug up a pit beneath the structure looking for fabled gold. It’s a fate that awaits many other temples in Hooli.
The Ganesha temple stands atop the Yellamma hill, about 2km away from the famous Yellamma temple of Saundatti. Other structures, which enjoy no maintenance and are left to the mercy of treasure hunters, too are on the verge of collapse.
The Ganesha temple, which predates even the Yellamma temple, is a must-visit on the itinerary of pilgrims flocking to Saundatti. But villagers say it has been in a pitiable condition for long.
Ramangouda Tiparashi, president of the Yellamma Devasthan Management Committee, said, “Several devotees are understandably upset. We have taken the issue seriously and are looking for a solution to preserve the monuments.”
Ravi Kotargasti, executive officer of the Shri Renuka Yallamma Devasthan, Saundatti, said they will try to rebuild the temple. “An engineer has already visited the spot and will estimate the cost required to reconstruct the temple.”
After Badami and Aihole, Hooli is home to some of the oldest structures in Karnataka. Many temples in the village are not ASI-protected and come under the state archaeological department. There are no information boards on the history or architectural style of these temples.
According to villagers, Hooli had 101 temples, 101 wells, 101 memorials, a fort and other structures.
10ft deep pits dug:
Hooli, an ancient village near Saundatti in Belagavi, known as North Karnataka’s Hampi, is being marauded by treasure hunters.While its temples have been well-documented by researchers, villagers say some stories about gold and diamonds being buried by kings under these temples has turned Hooli into a treasure hunters’ haven, with serious damage to the fragile structures.Some of the holes dug up are as deep as 10 feet. Treasure hunters strike in the night when no one is around. Till date they have dug about 15 holes at different locations, say villagers.They are hoping the government will not only protect the ancient monuments in Hooli and surrounding areas, but also develop the area as a tourist spot, on the lines of Hampi.
Every temple had a well
Hooli, the village of temples, was known as Hoovalli, or village of flowers. The more famous Panchaligeswara and Trikuteshwara temples are in a slightly better state as they come under ASI ambit. It is said each of the 101 temples had a step well too. There are inscriptions here dating to the Chalukya period. It was also known to be a great educational centre populated by scholars. A couple of years ago, the ASI started restoration work on some of the structures but there was controversy that the work was not being properly done, with cement being largely used for the purpose.