SHRAVANABELAGOLA : The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken up a mammoth task of copying and digitising inscriptions that have been discovered in Sharavanabelagola over the years. As some of the inscriptions which are out in open were deteriorating, the plan was mooted to copy and digitise the same. Chandragiri Hills has about 400 inscriptions recorded with ASI and other agencies. Jain Mutt too has copies of inscriptions. Vindhyagiri where the statue of Lord Bahubali stands has about 140 inscriptions carved on stones. About 60 inscriptions have been found in Shravanabelagola town and surroundings.
An ASI official noted that most of the stone inscriptions are exposed to sun and rains throughout the year. A majority of writings have been carved on Chandragiri Hills between 3 AD and 8 AD. Some of them have been deteriorating despite precaution measures from the ASI.
Hence it has been decided to digitise them. K Murteshwari, superintending archaeologist from Bengaluru, told The Express that the copying of all the 140 inscriptions from Vindhyagiri has been completed. “The work on Chandragiri inscriptions is under progress.
Once the copying of inscriptions is completed, we shall digitise the entire set of writings on the stones,” the officer said. The ASI has set up an interpretation centre at the foothills of Vindhyagiri and the digitised versions of inscriptions will be made available for the public view. “We shall provide touch screens where visitors can go through the history through these writings,” she said.
Heli-tourism takes off
Shravanabelagola: Thanks to this year’s Mahamastakabhisheka, the important Jain festival held once every 12 years here, heli-tourism took off on Wednesday in the temple town of Shravanabelagola. The district authorities, in association with the Mahamastakabhisheka event committee, had organised the rides. They roped in Hyderabad-based Chipson Aviation to handle the project that has been in consideration since long. Happy at the good response the eight-minute ride at B2,100 got immediately after its launch, the district authority has asked Chipson Aviation to come up with special packages to fly tourists to Belur-Halebid, Gorur Reservoir, among other places in Hassan.