HAMPI, INDIA, June 16, 2011 (The Pune Mirror): Some of the most impressive structures at the world heritage site at Hampi are in various stages of collapse following unchecked quarrying of granite in the vicinity.
On Sunday, a portion of the famous Varaha temple came crashing down. Regular dynamiting of rocks in the periphery of the Vijayanagar ruins had seriously weakened the structure, and it just took a heavy downpour to do the rest.
The Archaeological Survey of India was conducting restoration work at the Varaha temple complex when the temple wall crumbled. “Granite quarrying is rampant in Bukkasagara, Venkatapura and Gudalkere villages which are situated very near to these monuments.
In May, when the famous Akka Thangi (Sister Stone) collapsed, tourism minister G. Janardhana Reddy visited the site and stated that “quarrying in a six-kilometer radius of Hampi will be banned.” But no action has been taken so far by tourism department officials and the district administration.