For the last four years, Meera Iyer and team, GoK and ASI, have prepared the dossier for Karnataka’s Hoysala temples to be nominated at the World Heritage Convention.
“This announcement is huge for Karnataka. Hampi and Pattadakal were listed as World Heritage Sites in the 80s, but after that Karnataka has not had a World Heritage Site,” says Iyer.
“One of the important things about the monument, which is not true of so many others, is that we actually know the names of those who worked on them, 900 years ago.”
“Usually, one of the outcomes of a World Heritage nomination is that there is an increase in tourism. It depends on the country and state and how they promote it.” Iyer added.
“I’m glad that finally, the world is recognising the Hoysala architecture. After this recognition, the government will be compelled to take extra steps to preserve them,” shares historian PV Nanjaraj Urs.