Tourism Minister H.K. Patil said on Wednesday that the survey of monuments in and around Barkur in Udupi district, which has been taken up by the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, will be completed soon.

The Minister said that the government will constitute a Barkur Development Committee for the conservation and restoration of monuments.

Speaking to presspersons after visiting Panchalingeshwara temple and some other monuments in Barkur, the Minister said that Barkur has 10 protected monuments under the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage and five protected documents under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The village has about 75 temples.

The Minister said that Barkur was once a State itself and 70 Governors ruled it. Barkur town has historical significance.

In addition to Panchalingeshwara temple, the town has Jain basadis, Kote Kere, Batte Vinayaka temple, and other monuments.

Mr. Patil said that he has instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi and the Tourism Department to restore and rejuvenate Kote Kere in its original form. The officials concerned should prepare an estimation of the restoration project and submit the same to the government for approval and funds.

At the same time, a blueprint will have to be prepared for the development of Panchalingeshwara temple, the Minister said. The restoration and development works should be conducted in a traditional way without bringing in “modernity”, he said.

The Minister said that the government will do all efforts to restore the past glory of Barkur.

Referring to the proposed Barkuru Development Committee, Mr. Patil said that it will remain as a permanent body to restore the glory of the town.