Lok Sabha Question No. 5871 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-30
Subject: Conservation of Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5871 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026

## CONSERVATION OF SACRED ENSEMBLES OF THE HOYSALAS

## 5871. SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  for  the conservation  of    the  Sacred  Ensembles  of    the  Hoysalas  at  Belur,  Halebidu  and Somanathapura, since their UNESCO World Heritage inscription in 2023, along with the specific conservation works carried out at each site, year wise;
- (b) the details of steps taken to develop and conserve St. Mary's Island in Karnataka, which has recently been added to UNESCO's Tentative List, including the funds allocated and the timeline for its formal nomination;
- (c) the  list  of  the  15  archaeological  sites  announced  for  development  in  Budget  2026-27, along with their locations, including the funds allocated therefor; and
- (d) the  details  of  the  National  Destination  Digital  Knowledge  Grid  announced  in  Budget 2026-27, including the number of heritage sites in Karnataka that is likely to be covered and the timeline for their digital documentation?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The details of the funds allocated by the Archaeological Survey of  India (ASI) for the conservation  of    the  Sacred  Ensembles  of    the  Hoysalas  at  Belur,  Halebidu  and Somanathapura along with the specific conservation works carried out at each site, year wise, during the last three years are given at Annexure-I
- (b) St. Mary's Islands are a group of four tiny islands, forming an NNW-SSE chain for about 6 km, situated off Malpe in Udupi District on the west coast of India, in Karnataka. They were listed on UNESCO's Tentative List in 2025 under the Natural category. The sites are protected by the Coastal Regulation Zones of the Government of India and have been declared a National Geological Monument by the Geological Survey of India since 1978.
- (c) The list of the 15 archaeological sites announced for development in Budget 2026-27 is attached  in  Annexure-II.  Specific  fund  allocated  is  being  finalized.  Conservation  and development works of all protected monuments, including the 15 archaeological sites, is undertaken as per requirement and from funds allocated to ASI.
- (d) National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid, execution is under planning stage.

## ANNEXURE - I

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 5871 FOR 30.03.2026.

The  details  of  the  funds  allocated  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  for  the conservation of the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura

(Amount in Rs.)

| Name of Monument              | Financial Year   | Financial Year   | Financial Year   |
|-------------------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|
|                               | 2022-23          | 2023-24          | 2024-25          |
| Channakeshava Temple, Belur   | 3764390/-        | 1575072/-        | 1577157/-        |
| Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu | 44623847/-       | 2062201/-        | 304406/-         |
| Keshava Temple, Somanathpura  | 5987698/-        | 967390/-         | 342622/-         |

The  details  of  specific  conservation  works  carried  out  by  the  Archaeological  Survey  of  India (ASI) at the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas at Belur, Halebidu and Somanathapura

| Name of                       | Financial Year                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Financial Year                                                                                     | Financial Year                                                |
|-------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| Monument                      | 2022-23                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | 2023-24                                                                                            | 2024-25                                                       |
| Channakeshava Temple, Belur   | 1. Resetting of Old Undulated paving stone inside the temple area. 2. Repairs to the damaged Gopura of the temple (Ongoing). 3. Upgradation of Existing Toilet Block. 4. Relaying the schist stone pathway, contextual signages , Facility signages, Water Facility, Dustbins, Signages, CCTV Cameras, Ramp etc 5. Upgradation of Electrification work, Fixing of Loose sculptures and documentation. 6. Weathering Proof Course to Sanskrit Paathashala and cloister mandapa. 6. Display of Interpretation Boards inside Monument. 7. Rejuvenation of Kalyani (Tank) 8.Regular Up keeping and Maintenance. | 1. Repairs to the damaged Gopura of the temple (On- going). 2. Regular Up keeping and Maintenance. | General Maintenance, cleaning etc. No major conservation work |
| Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu | 1. Relaying the schist stone pathway, contextual signages, Facility signages, Water Facility, Dustbins, Signages, stone benches, grill painting. 2. Construction of Interpretation Centre. 3. Up gradation of Museum Building. 4. Upgradation &Extension of Toilet block. 5. Installation of CCTV Camera, Vegetation removal, 6. Arrangement and Display of Loose sculptures. 7. Upgradation of Parking Area by laying interlock pavement tiles. 8. Regular Up keeping and Maintenance.                                                                                                                     | Regular Up keeping and Maintenance.                                                                | General Maintenance, cleaning etc. No major conservation work |

| Keshava Temple, Somanathpura   | 1. Providing Benches, Dustbins, Signages, Water Kiosk. 2. Upgradation of Toilet Block. 3. Upgradation of VIP Room. 4. Upgradation of Ticket Counter. 5. Regular Up keeping and Maintenance.   | Regular Up keeping and Maintenance.   | General Maintenance, cleaning etc. No major conservation work   |
|--------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (c)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 5871 FOR 30.03.2026.

The list of the 15 Archaeological Sites announced for development in Budget 2026-27.

|   S. No. | Site             | Chronological Period                   | State/UT       |
|----------|------------------|----------------------------------------|----------------|
|        1 | Lothal           | c.2400 - 1900BCE                       | Gujarat        |
|        2 | Adichanallur     | c.1000 - 600BCE                        | Tamil Nadu     |
|        3 | Sarnath          | 3rd centuryBCE onwards                 | Uttar Pradesh  |
|        4 | Dholavira        | c.3000 - 1500BCE                       | Gujarat        |
|        5 | Rakhigarhi       | c.2600 - 1900BCE                       | Haryana        |
|        6 | Hastinapur       | c.1200BCE- Gupta period                | Uttar Pradesh  |
|        7 | Agroha           | 1 st centuryBCE -18th century CE       | Haryana        |
|        8 | Udayagiri        | 2nd century CE-12 th century CE        | Odisha         |
|        9 | Sannati          | 3rd century BCE - 3 rd century CE      | Karnataka      |
|       10 | Leh Palace       | 17th centuryCE                         | Ladakh         |
|       11 | Chittorgarh Fort | 7th-16th century CE                    | Rajasthan      |
|       12 | Jhansi Fort      | 17 th century CE - 19 th CE            | Uttar Pradesh  |
|       13 | Purana Qila      | 12 th centuryBCE to 19 th centuryCE    | Delhi          |
|       14 | Eran             | 2 nd millennium BCE to 16 th centuryCE | Madhya Pradesh |
|       15 | Sibasagar        | 13 th century CE to19 th centuryCE     | Assam          |

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