Karnataka High Court Halts Mutt Construction Near 12th-Century Rameshwara Temple in Kudli
Acting on directives issued by the Karnataka High Court, officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have ordered the Shree Kudali Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt to halt all ongoing construction activities within the prohibited zone of the 12th-century Rameshwara Temple in Kudli, Shivamogga taluk.
What Happened
The Rameshwara Temple, an ASI-protected monument from the Hoysala era located at the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers, has been the subject of ongoing controversy regarding construction within its regulated surroundings. A local resident of Shivamogga, Madhusudhan C.G., approached the Karnataka High Court through a public interest litigation after previous directives from heritage authorities went unheeded.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha examined the matter and noted that the ASI had previously issued stop-work notices on February 7, 2025, and February 18, 2025. Despite these orders, work continued at the site. Consequently, the High Court directed that no further construction take place until the next hearing date. Following the court order, Abhilash K., conservation assistant for the ASI Shivamogga sub-circle, visited the site and formally handed over the notice to a representative of the mutt.
Key Highlights
- Court Intervention: The Karnataka High Court issued an order instructing that no further construction be raised at the prohibited area of the protected monument.
- Administrative Action: The ASI served a formal notice to the Shree Kudali Arya Akshobhya Teertha Mutt requiring an immediate cessation of work.
- Past Violations: The ASI had earlier served notices in late 2024 and February 2025, citing unauthorised additions in the north-west corner that deviated from approved drawings.
- Disputed Clearances: While the mutt obtained National Monuments Authority (NMA) approval in March 2023 citing structural collapse from natural calamities, the tehsildar letter used to support that claim was later found not to have been issued by the Shivamogga tehsildar.
- Local Opposition: Sections of local villagers and residents raised objections against building activities near the historic Hoysala structure.
Why This Matters
Under heritage conservation regulations, prohibited zones around ASI-protected sites are established to safeguard ancient architecture from encroachment and visual or structural degradation. In this instance, deviations from drawings submitted to the National Monuments Authority, combined with questions regarding the authenticity of documentation used to secure approvals, led to public interest litigation seeking judicial enforcement of statutory building restrictions.
What to Watch Next
The Karnataka High Court has barred further building activities on the site until the matter is heard again. The next court hearing has been scheduled for November 25, 2026, when the legal status of the construction and regulatory compliance will be reviewed further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Rameshwara Temple located?
The Rameshwara Temple is a 12th-century Hoysala monument located at Kudli in Shivamogga taluk, situated at the confluence of the Tunga and Bhadra rivers.
Why was the construction near the temple challenged?
The construction was challenged through public interest litigation due to continued building inside the prohibited boundary of the protected monument, deviations from plans approved by the National Monuments Authority, and findings that a tehsildar letter used to gain initial permission had not actually been issued.
Who heard the petition in the Karnataka High Court?
The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S. Hemalekha.
Source: Based on reporting by The Hindu.