Following Karnataka HC order, ASI asks mutt to stop construction at prohibited area of historic Hoysala monument in Shivamogga’s Kudli

Following a Karnataka High Court order, officers of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), on Monday (August 17, 2026), served a notice on the Shree Kudali Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt at Kudli in Shivamogga taluk, directing the institution to stop construction activities within the prohibited area of the Rameshwara Temple, an ASI-protected monument in the village.

A section of villagers had opposed the construction activities within the prohibited area of the historic 12th century Hoysala structure, located at the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers. The ASI had earlier issued orders asking the mutt to stop the work; however, it continued with the construction. Madhusudhan C.G., a resident of Shivamogga, had moved the High Court with a public interest litigation, questioning the violation of the orders passed by the ASI.

A view of Rameshwara Temple at Kudli in Shivamogga taluk on November 25, 2024.
| Photo Credit:
SATHISH G.T.

Construction works being done by a mutt within prohibited area of the Rameshwara Temple, despite multiple notices from the ASI.
| Photo Credit:
S.K. Dinesh

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha passed an order on August 13, 2026. The court noted that the ASI had issued notices on February 7, 2025, and February 18, 2025, directing that construction be stopped immediately. However, the mutt continued the construction even after the notices were served.

“In view of the above, we consider it apposite to direct that no further construction shall be raised till the next date of hearing,” the order said. The matter has been adjourned to November 25, 2026.

Abhilash K., conservation assistant, ASI Shivamogga sub-circle, visited the spot and served the notice to stop the work. A representative of the mutt received the notice.

The Hindu, on November 27, 2024, had reported on the construction activities within the prohibited area. An ASI Shivamogga Circle official issued a notice the next day to stop the work. File photo from 2024.
| Photo Credit:
SATHISH G.T.

The photo taken during February 2025 shows the initial stage of the construction in the prohibited area at Kudli in Shivamogga taluk. Two more notices were served in 2025.
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Multiple notices, but construction goes on

The mutt had obtained permission from the National Monuments Authority (NMA) in March 2023 for the construction, stating that its old structure had collapsed due to natural calamities. The NMA had granted permission based on a letter purportedly issued by the Shivamogga tehsildar acknowledging the collapse of the old structure due to floods. However, it later came to light that the tehsildar had not issued any such letter.

The Hindu, on November 27, 2024, had reported on the construction activities within the prohibited area. An ASI Shivamogga Circle official issued a notice the next day to stop the work, citing “unauthorised additions” in the north-west corner of the construction site that deviated from the approved drawings submitted to the NMA. The mutt continued the construction despite the notice, and The Hindu carried another report on January 5, 2025. Similar notices were served twice again in February 2025.

While the Shree Kudali Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt sais it had obtained permission from the National Monuments Authority (NMA) in March 2023 for the construction based on a tehsildar’s letter, it later came to light that no such letter had been issued.
| Photo Credit:
S.K. Dinesh