Monuments protected by Archaeological Survey India reopened in Karnataka2Photo© timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Monuments protected by Archaeological Survey India reopened in Karnataka

, 6 news, 4 views

Monuments protected by the Archaeological Survey India (ASI) across the State were reopened to the public as part of the graded unlocking amid a protest by local villagers at Somanathapura.

The monuments had been out of bounds for visitors, tourists and the general public ever since the nationwide lockdown came into effect on March 25 to curb the spread of COVID-19. During the first phase of unlocking, the ASI had announced the reopening of 820 monuments, including places of worship, from June 8. The remaining monuments were reopened on Monday.

However, at Somanathapura in Mysuru district, there was a protest by locals, who assembled in front of the 13th century Chennakeshava Temple and urged the authorities to shut it down till the pandemic subsided. About 60 people from the village expressed their opposition to the ASI’s move to reopen the monument on the grounds that it could draw visitors and jeopardise the safety of the local community. However, there were no visitors to the site, which was deserted till late in the afternoon though normally the famed Hoysala monument attracts scores of tourists.