UNESCO Bid: Shravanabelagola & Lakkundi, Karnataka

Karnataka has submitted a proposal to UNESCO for the inclusion of two significant monuments, Shravanabelagola in Hassan and Lakkundi in Gadag districts, in the esteemed World Heritage list. The State Department of Archaeology Museums and Heritage (DAMH) has identified these sites for their cultural and historical importance.

Proposal for UNESCO World Heritage Designation for Shravanabelagola and Lakkundi in Karnataka

The Jain pilgrimage site in Karnataka, Shravanabelagola, holds renown for the Gomateshwara statue.Standing as one of the tallest free-standing monolithic statues globally, this remarkable sculpture was intricately carved from a single stone and consecrated in the year 981 CE. Visible from a distance of approximately 30 km, a close and clear view requires ascending about 700 steps. Located around 150 km from Bengaluru, Shravanabelagola is easily accessible, with the nearest airport in Mysuru at a distance of 87 km and a railway station in the vicinity offering daily train services connecting to Bengaluru.

Lakkundi, also known as Lokkigundi, served as a capital of the Hoysala Empire thousands of years ago. Presently, the village boasts over 50 ruins of ancient temples dating back to the periods of the Chalukyas, Kalachuris, and Suena. Notably, Lakkundi features 100 stepwells, known as kalyani, adding to its historical significance. Travelers can reach Lakkundi, situated approximately 375 km from Bengaluru, by accessing the Hubballi Airport, around 70 km away, or the Sambre Airport in Belgaum, approximately 128 km distant.