BASANGOUDA PATIL MEETS JAG
The Minister
of State for Textiles Shri Basangouda R.Patil called on the Minister
of Tourism and Culture, Shri Jagmohan here today to impress upon
him the need for developing tourist facilities and renovation
of the historical Jain temples in Bijapur, Karnataka.
Shri Patil presented
a set of three project proposals of these temples to develop them
with all facilities and infrastructure for the visitors. These
temples are frequented by a number of pilgrims from all over the
country.
He told Shri Jagmohan
that Bijapur was the seat of Adil Shahi dynasty which ruled the
kingdom for over 300 years. The rulers of the dynasty and the
local Jain community patronized the Jainism turning Bijapur into
a prominent seat of Jain learning, culture, literature and art.
There are a number of Jain Temples in and around Bijapur dating
back to 11th Century. These temples ravaged by nature
with the passage of time, need urgent renovation from the archaeological
point of view. He pointed out that among the list of the Jain
temples marked for renovation at an estimated cost of Rs. 2604
crore by the Archeological Survey of India, some unique temples
have not found place.
He said that the
renovation of the Jain monuments in Karnataka would go a long
way in preserving cultural heritage monuments and promoting tourism
in the state.
