Lok Sabha Question No. 217 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Conservation of Centrally Protected Monuments in Dakshina Kannada
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO. 217

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## CONSERVATION  OF  CENTRALLY  PROTECTED  MONUMENTS  IN  DAKSHINA KANNADA

## *217. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of total number of centrally protected monuments and archaeological sites under the  jurisdiction  of  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  including  their  location, historical  importance  and  the  year  in  which  each  was  declared  a  monument  of  national importance in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka;
- (b) the details of allocation and utilisation of funds for conservation, restoration and maintenance of these monuments from 2019-20 to 2025-26, year-wise;
- (c) the details of the major conservation and restoration projects undertaken during this period along with the physical progress achieved thereof;
- (d) the  details  of  the  total  revenue  collected,  if  any,  through  ticketed  entry  or  other  visitorrelated  receipts  at  these  monuments  along  with  the  manner  in  which  such  revenues  are utilized for site management and preservation; and
- (e) whether the ASI has conducted any structural integrity or climate-vulnerability assessments of  coastal  heritage structures in Dakshina Kannada and if so, the details thereof including key findings?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  217*  FOR  15.12.2025  RAISED  BY  SHRI  CAPTAIN BRIJESH  CHOWTA:  HON'BLE  MEMBERS  OF  PARLIAMENT  REGARDING CONSERVATION  OF  CENTRALLY  PROTECTED  MONUMENTS  IN  DAKSHINA KANNADA

- (a) There  are  06  ancient  monuments  and  archaeological  sites  and  remains  declared  as  of national importance in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka. The location-wise details along with the year of declaration as of national importance is given at Annexure.
- (b) Details of allocation / utilisation of funds for their conservation, restoration and maintenance, during the years from 2019-20 to 2025-26 is given as under:
- (c) Archaeological  Survey  of  India  takes  up  conservation  and  maintenance  of  protected monuments and areas as per the conservation requirement considering availability of funds and  resources  and  following  the  National  Conservation  Policy.  Further,  upkeep  and maintenance of the protected monuments and areas is an ongoing process.
- (d) No entry fee is charged at the protected monuments located in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.
- (e) No such specific assessments has been conducted, however, conservation issues caused by natural  factors  like  humidity,  rain,  sun  heat  and  other  climatic  factors  are  taken  care  of through regular conservation and preservation measures based on requirement and availability of resources, which is a regular phenomenon to ensure better maintenance of protected monuments and areas.

| Year    | allocation/expenditure (amount in lakhs)   |
|---------|--------------------------------------------|
| 2019-20 | 14.22                                      |
| 2020-21 | 10.18                                      |
| 2021-22 | 48.76                                      |
| 2022-23 | 16.90                                      |
| 2023-24 | 35.65                                      |
| 2024-25 | 21.57                                      |
| 2025-26 | 15.87 (Up to Nov. 2025)                    |

## ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA STARRED   QUESTION NO.*217 FOR 15.12.2025.

DETAILS OF PROTECTED MONUMENTS UNDER THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF  INDIA  IN  DISTRICT  DAKSHINA  KANNADA,  LOCATION-WISE,  HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE, ALONG WITH THE YEAR OF PROTECTION

1. STAMBHA IN FRONT OF THE KOTAKERI JAINABASTI, BAPPANAD, 1922:The Manastambha was erected around 15 Century CE,  having a square base and fluted shaft is built over  a  platform.  The  pillar  is  carved  intricately  with  Jaina  tirthankara  reliefs  in  Kayotsarga posture. The adhishthana is treated with the conventional kumuda mouldings.
2. Sultan Batheri, Boloor, 1921: Sultan Battery, a watch tower, is said to have been built by Tipu Sultan to contain the entrance of battleships of the enemies into the Gurpur river. Though it is a simple watch tower, it looks like a miniature fortress with many musket holes for mounting guns all around.
3. Mangaladevi Temple, Mangaluru, 1921:The origin of the temple of Mangaladevi is not definitely known. The Ballalas of Attavara are said to have constructed a temple and enshrined an  image  of  Shakti  which  was  inaugurated  by  Gorakhnatha,  a  disciple  of  Matsyendranatha sometime during the 10 Century CE The temple on plan has a sandhara garbhagriha, the outer walls of which are pierced by ardhamandapa which in turn opens into a pillared sabhamandapa in south. The temple complex is enclosed by a prakara. The garbhagriha has plain adhishthana mouldings and wall.
4. Jamalabad Fort, Nada and Laila, 1921:The present fort was built on the ruins of an old fort by Tipu Sultan in 1794 and he named it after his mother Jamalbee. The fort was captured by the British in 1799 but was shortly  taken over  by Thimmanayaka. It was finally recaptured by the British in 1800. The fort is situated on the summit of a lofty granite hill. The flight of steps on the eastern side of the hill is the only approach to the citadel. These steps are cut out of solid rock. The walls, bastions and gateways are built with granite blocks.
5.  Inner  Courtyard  of  Chowtar's  Palace,  Mudabidri  (Marpadi),  1922:An  inscription belonging  to  the  reign  of  Kulasekhara-III,  an  Alupa  ruler  from  Mudabidri,  dated  1384  CE informs that the king was ruling from Bidire. The place was also the capital of Chautus, the local chiefs. The palace looks like a simple structure with plain exterior. The sculptures inside are of superior order. The four wooden pillars are beautifully carved and the wooden ceiling is highly ornate. Two  panels namely the Navanari-Kunjara and PanchanariTuraga are carved excellently.
6. Seventeen Jaina Tombs, Mudabidri (Prantya), 1922:These are  of Jaina priests, only two of them standing apart from the rest being those of wealthy Jaina merchants. These lofty stepped pyramidal erections consist of several storeys built of carefully cut laterite stones. Interestingly, these tombs also resemble the Chinese pagodas. These Jaina Tombs dates back to 17th Century CE.

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