Category Archives: Heritage at Risk Register

H@R 192/365 Ancient temples & settlement Haat Village, Zila Chamoli, Uttarakhand

H@R 192/365

Ancient temples & settlement Haat Village, Zila Chamoli, Uttarakhand

The temples, remains and settlement of Haat Village (Zila Chamoli) are very significant due to their archaeological and historical value (9-10th century CE). They also hold immense importance because of the sacred value and association with Adi Shankaracharya who established the sacred place. These sites are under serious threat of disappearance owing to the ongoing Vishnugad-Pipalkoti Hydroelectric Power project. Lakshmi Narayan Temple is one of the sites in the village, that are assets of national importance. Assigned as ‘muck dumping sites’ of the power project renders these at serious risk of permanent loss.

H@R 191/365 Vairag Lake Ghat & Tank near Solapur, Maharashtra

H@R 191/365

Vairag Lake Ghat & Tank near Solapur, Maharashtra

Vairag Lake Ghat and Vairag Tank are located about 30 km northwest of Solapur. The 18th century CE structures are fast deteriorating. Water seepage on the sides of the tank is causing the walls to crack. Structures associated with water have been an integral part of architecture in India. These were ingeniously conceived, magnificent structures used for accumulating, preserving and regulating groundwater with special technical know-how. Yet they are largely in a poor state in present times.

H@R 190/365 Kondaveedu Fort Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

H@R 190/365

Kondaveedu Fort Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

Located in Kondaveedu village, Chilakaluripet constituency of Guntur District. It is a hill fortress located 1,700 feet above m.s.l. Ruled by the Reddy dynasty between 1328 and 1428 and then taken over by Gajpathis of Orissa, later ravaged by the rulers of the Bahmani kingdom (1458). The Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya captured it in 1516. The Golconda Sultan Quli Qutb Shah finally captured it in 1579, renaming it Murtuzanagar. The fort came under the control of the French colonists in 1752 when it was extensively fortified. It passed on to the English imperialists in 1788, who abandoned it in early 19th century in favour of Guntur. Urbanization and abandonment of the area are the major threats. Now, the massive fortifications and battlements are seen in ruins only. The interior has extensive ruins. A large number of historic buildings are vulnerable to developmental pressures.

H@R 189/365 Vernacular homes of saree weavers Dubbaka, Medak District, Telangana

H@R 189/365

Vernacular homes of saree weavers Dubbaka, Medak District, Telangana

This traditional weaver home is over 80 years old and is one of the places famous for handloom Ikat sarees. The dual-purpose vernacular architecture, located in traditional community clusters, is an extremely critical aspect of keeping alive the ancient craft of handloom weaving. Such vernacular homes are in a state of deterioration. Iconic saree weaving clusters in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Assam are on UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. However, with pressures of urbanisation, there is a risk of disappearance. INTACH had conducted a study to identify clusters of vernacular houses of saree weavers in Telangana.

H@R 188/365 Gopal Lal Villa Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

H@R 188/365

Gopal Lal Villa Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Located in the premises of the College of Teacher Education in Varanasi Cantonment. This is one of the significant halts of Swami Vivekanand, from the 19th century. The building is in ruins and in danger of disappearance. Wild vegetation growing in and around the building has caused structural and material damage. Gopal Lal Villa is place of associational significance. As narrated in Swami Vivekanand’s various letters, this place had a soothing atmosphere with a rose garden and large trees. Set amidst the garden, was the well-furnished house with many rooms and parlours. He also found the atmosphere of the place conducive to scholarly musings.

H@R 187/365 Daneshwar Mandir Raipur, Chhattisgarh

H@R 187/365

Daneshwar Mandir Raipur, Chhattisgarh

The 8th-10th century CE temple is located in Navapara, Rajim in Raipur. It is of prime importance due to being situated exactly in front of the Rajivlochan Temple. Daneshwar Mandir is an outstanding example of the Dakshin Koshal style of architecture, especially the extremely fine and specialized carvings on the shikhara. The temple is facing deterioration and along with its surroundings, it is in a poor condition.

H@R 186/365 Vernacular homes of Alubari village Mohangmura, Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh

H@R 186/365

Vernacular homes of Alubari village Mohangmura, Namsai district, Arunachal Pradesh

The vernacular residential settlement is located on either side of the road that separates Assam and Arunachal Pradesh (Bordumsa-Mahadevpur route). Traditional building materials and techniques have been used for generations, such as tuku patta for the roof, timber and bamboo construction, and mud facades. The settlement is under threat of urbanisation and replacement of traditional materials (that have been conducive for the climate and sourced locally).

H@R 185/365 Nahar-e-Ambri Aurangabad, Maharashtra

H@R 185/365

Nahar-e-Ambri Aurangabad, Maharashtra

A unique, historic water supply system for public utility and one of the glorious relics of Mughal engineering skills. Malik Amber, Commander of the Nizam Shahi Kings and Subedar of Daulatabad, discovered and introduced underground water channel/ tunnel system in 1617 CE. The system utilised subterranean water table of mountainous elevated valleys, such that the water flowed down towards the town by gravity. This is a valuable educational resource too. Presently, only a small portion of the intricate network is barely functioning and supplying water to the old city. This is due to lack of maintenance by the authorities as well as apathy and misuse by the citizens, leading to arteries and underground channels blocked or demolished during construction activities. Under threat from the developing town as well as unauthorized pumping of water. Surviving segments need urgent attention and remedies. Maintenance and revitalization of the well-organised nahar system needs to be undertaken. INTACH Aurangabad Chapter has taken initiative in pursuing the matter.

H@R 184/365 Visheshwar Kothi Nirmand, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

H@R 184/365

Visheshwar Kothi Nirmand, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh

The old tower-type temple dedicated to Lord Shiva has remnants of historic walls around it, indicating the existence of an entire temple complex with ancillary structures in it. The temple and the ancillary structures are in a dilapidated state, with garbage lying around the site. Access to the complex is through a narrow lane and garbage-filled drain. Built in late 18th century, the main shrine is located on the second floor, while other activities are carried out in the lower floors. The attic can be accessed only by the temple priest and is used to store important ingredients for yajnas. In general, the architectural character of modern structures lining the streets of Nirmand is different from that of vernacular structures.

H@R 183/365 Phool Bagh Andar Shahar, Chanderi

H@R 183/365

Phool Bagh Andar Shahar, Chanderi

Phool Bagh is a 17th century CE garden of the Rajput period, which was used by royal ladies. It is in a neglected condition. Lack of awareness of historic gardens as heritage is one of the prime reasons for their neglected state. This also implies that interventions are made which almost always lead to a further loss in their authenticity. Maintenance regimes specific to retaining the historicity of the sites are generally missing. It is important that the communities who engage with a historic garden connect with the site in all possible ways (including in any management plan) so that its significance and associated values are kept intact.