Bengaluru

Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of IT major Infosys, today said it has contributed Rs 4.5 crore towards the archaeological restoration of the ancient Somanatheswara Temple complex, in the town of Lakshmeshwara, around 40 kms from Hubballi.

The contribution of Rs 4.5 crore is towards the architectural and cultural restoration of the temple, including repair of ancient structures as old as 1,400 years, Infosys Foundation said in a release.

It said the unveiling of the restored complex was celebrated with a day-long symposium on the town of Lakshmeshwara (previously known as Puligere, a seat of Kannada language), that was held at the temple complex.

Lakshmeshwara is a historic town with over 50 stone inscriptions and several temples, of which the Somanatheswara archaeological complex is one. The area is renowned for its unique edifices which showcase the finest architecture from the Chalukyan, the Rashtrakuta and the Vijayanagara periods.

The foundation said as part of its ongoing effort to support programmes in art and culture, it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Conservation of Heritage and Rural Education (CHARE) in 2012 for the conservation of the Somanatheswara temple.

“While it is crucial to support scientific progress, conserving our ancient historical monuments is equally important. These monuments are a testimony of our rich culture and a magnificent heritage for future generations,” Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murty said.

“The Somanatheswara archaeological complex reflects the glory of Karnataka’s artistic craftsmanship and the essence of its culture and tradition. By supporting its restoration, the Infosys Foundation is doing its bit to support historical art and culture,” she added.

PTI