Crumbling to dust: Historic 15th century bazaar listed by Unesco collapses due to 'poor maintenance'

By Vanu Dev

PUBLISHED: 16:33 EST, 23 December 2012 | UPDATED: 18:17 EST, 23 December 2012

Legend has it that diamonds and rubies were traded on the kilometer-long Bazaar Street in Hampi (now Unesco world heritage site) in the 15th century under the Vijayanagara Empire.

Today, the Saalu Mantapas (shopping outlets) on the Bazaar Street are crumbling gradually because of poor maintenance and shoddy repair work.

On Friday, one such Saalu Mantapa collapsed during encroachment clearance. 

Official Apathy: Parts of the bazaar street at the famed Hampi ruins have collapsed

Though the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has been clearing encroachments from Hampi and carrying out restoration work, the use of excavators by contractors in the site seem to be posing problems.

According to local residents, on Friday, the contractor used an excavator to clear an encroachment and it led to the collapse of a Saalu Mantapa (four pillars, columns and slabs).

"It has been clearly told to the contractors that use of machinery, particularly, excavators is prohibited on this site.

Restoration work has to be carried out manually and carefully. This is absurd," Mallikarjuna Swamy, a local guide, said.

The Unesco heritage site collapsed due to lack of maintenance

At present, the restoration work of the Saalu Mantapas on the Bazaar Street leading to the Virupaksha Temple is in progress. 

There are as many as 380 Saalu Mantapas on the Bazaar Street, which is also known as a 'Raja Beedhi' (King's Road).

As per historical records, the Saalu Mantapas were constructed in 1422 AD to facilitate trade between the Vijayanagara Empire and visitors, particularly the Portuguese and the Muslims from West Asia.