Category: Travel

** Konkani Community of Israel holds ‘Nathalanso Dhabazo’

Konkani Community of Israel (KCI) has organized several programmes in Israel during the last five years with the basic intention of service through talents. Several needy people are supported. KCI held ‘Natalancho Dabazo’ programme in December 2021 to prepare for Christmas and to help the needy.

Fr Dominic Mendonca who led the Holy Mass that day gave away a meaningful homily about how one should live in an organization. In the hall programme that followed, KCI president Pravel D’Costa Katipalla, KCI coordinator Savita D’Souza, Fr Dominic Mendonca, KDCC president Sandeep Fernandes and Israel Galaxy Band master Prakash Fernandes released a Konkani devotional album titled ‘Rai Zalmala’. KCI well-wishers Benna D’ Souza and Alex D’Sa were present. A short programme was held to thank those who supported and others.

** Survey of monuments, antiquities to cover all taluks in Karnataka

Thirteen taluks to be surveyed this year

The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage has launched a major survey to update the inventory of cultural properties and monuments strewn across Karnataka. Given the scope of the survey and the magnitude of the work involved, the project will be taken up in a phased manner and 13 taluks will be covered this year. This is in addition to five taluks already surveyed.

Karnataka has a treasure-trove of historical monuments and structures of which 844 are of State importance and declared as “protected” under the Karnataka Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961. In addition, there are 609 centrally protected monuments of national importance under the jurisdiction of Archaeological Survey of India.

** Individuals offering funds for heritage conservation in Karnataka

Their contribution is in addition to the PPP model and corporate initiatives

The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage is encouraging public private participation in conservation and restoration of monuments in Karnataka, and the response is encouraging.

Ms. Poornima said the PPP model has encouraged lot of private players and individuals to pitch in for the cause of conservation. The Department, in association with Sri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara Dharmothana Trust, has conserved 184 temples so far across Karnataka.

She said the PPP model provides funds of up to ₹10 lakh per monument of which 40% will be provided by the department, 40% has to be pitched in by the organisation taking up the conservation project while 20% has to be borne by the local community.

In addition to the PPP model, conservation initiatives have been taken by corporates. This includes restoration of the Panchakalyani at Melukote (Melkote) at a cost of ₹6 crore by the Infosys Foundation. Conservation and restoration has been taken by the TVS Group of Prasanna Krishnaswamy temple and Sri Mahabaleshwara temple in Mysuru, while the Chandramouleshwara temple at Hampi was restored by the Jindal group, said Ms. Poornima.

Apart from the PPP model and corporate initiatives, individuals too have pitched in with funds. This includes the construction of the Rajagopura of Sri Yoganarasimhaswamy temple at Melukote and restoration of Sri Gunja Narasimhaswamy tempe at T. Narsipura.

The Commissioner said there were 844 monuments under the protection of the State Archaeology Department. The 3D Mapping and Laser Scanning of these monuments is nearing completion. The project has been taken up in association with Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology.

** Hoysala temples are India’s nomination for World Heritage tag

The Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala — the famed Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somananthpura in the State — has been finalised as India’s nomination for consideration as World Heritage for 2022-23. These protected monuments are on UNESCO’s tentative list since April 15, 2014, a PIB release on Monday said.

As part of the first step, the dossier to the World Heritage Centre, which will take up technical scrutiny, was submitted by Vishal V. Sharma, Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, to UNESCO Director of World Heritage Lazare Eloundou on Monday. “India is proud to nominate the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas for UNESCO’s World Heritage List! Art Historians recognise the exceptional sculptural artistry of the ensembles to be among the masterpieces of Asian art,” Mr. Sharma tweeted.

** ‘Agnihotra’ ritual conducted at Belagavi airport

Ritual held Saturday

Airport staff joined members of a religious association to organise an ‘agnihotra’ ritual on the premises of the Belagavi airport in Sambra on Saturday.

Rajesh Kumar Maurya, airport director, Vinayak Lokur, industrialist, and around 20 others lit fire in small homa kundas and chanted hymns to worship Agni, the fire God. They sat in a square-shaped formation at the entrance of the airport lounge. Mr. Maurya shared pictures and videos of the event on the social media handle of the airport.

“Agnihotra is the way to heal and purify the space. It rejuvenates and activates surrounding atmosphere. Thanks to Vinayak Lokur,’’ he said in his post.

** Sharana Mela to be held in Koodala Sangama in north Karnataka

Sharana Mela, an annual gathering of Lingayats, is scheduled to be held between January 12 and 14 at Koodala Sangama in Bagalkot district, the holy place where 12th century philosopher and reformer Basavanna is believed to have breathed his last.

Addressing a media conference in Kalaburagi on January 6, Ravindra Shabadi, State convenor of Jagathika Lingayat Mahasabha, and other Lingayat leaders, including Prabhuling Mahagaonkar and R.G. Shetagar, said that the event would be organised in compliance with the revised COVID-19 guidelines issued by the Karnataka Government.

Activists Medha Patkar and C.T. Bevanur would be honoured with Basavatmaje national award and Sharana Kayaka Ratna State award respectively during the event.

** Hassan: Man who found black box of crashed Navy helicopter awaiting prize from 30 years

A youth, who has reached senior citizen’s age now, who found the black box of the Navy helicopter that crashed on Western Ghats in 1991, did not receive the promised prize money.

In 1991, a Navy helicopter that was carrying very critical documents from Mangaluru to Bengaluru crashed on the plateau of Aramane Gudda on Western Ghats. Four people, including a colonel, lost their lives in the mishap. Even after frantic searching the helicopter could not be located.

Puttaswamy Gowda, a youth of 33 years, resident of Vanagoor village, continued his search in the quest of getting the prize, though all others stopped the hunt for the black box of the helicopter. After two years of continuous search he was able to locate the black box in 1992 October on the plateau of Aramane Gudda.