Archive · 26 Jan 2026
Lakkundi Proposed for UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lakkundi is a special village in Karnataka, India, known for its very old and beautiful temples and buildings.
The government wants to nominate this village to be recognized by UNESCO, which is like a big organization that protects important places around the world.
They are planning to fix up six important monuments in the village, and they have also set aside money to improve other religious places and for eco-tourism.
The government is also helping a poor family who found valuable gold ornaments in their village.
They will give the family a house, a job, and education for the child.
This is all being done to preserve the history and culture of the area and to attract more tourists.
Lakkundi, a heritage-rich village in Gadag district, Karnataka, is proposed for inclusion in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites.
The proposal will be submitted to ICOMOS through the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) after government approval.
Conservation works for six monuments, including Virupaksha Temple and Mallikarjuna Temple, will cost Rs 10.16 crore.
Funds have been sanctioned for infrastructure development at religious centres and for eco-tourism and wildlife tourism projects.
The government will provide a house, job, and education to a poor family who found valuable gold ornaments in the village.
- Who
- Karnataka government, Tourism and District in-charge Minister HK Patil
- What
- Proposal to include Lakkundi in UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites
- When
- Proposal to be submitted after government approval
- Where
- Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka
- Why
- To recognize and conserve the heritage-rich village's Chalukyan-era architecture
- Location
- Gadag district, Karnataka
- Proposed for
- UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage Sites
- Monuments to be conserved
- Virupaksha Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Chandramouleshwara Temple, Halagundi Basavanna Temple, Kannara Bavi, Kalmath Bavi
- Conservation cost
- Rs 10.16 crore
- Funds for infrastructure development
- Rs 6.47 crore for Sri Holalamma Devi temple, Rs 13.05 crore for 22 religious centres, Rs 22.50 crore for eco-tourism and wildlife tourism
- Proposal submission
- To be submitted to ICOMOS through ASI after government approval
- Authority involved
- Lakkundi Heritage Area Development Authority