A 1,000-Year-Old Stepwell in Sudi, Karnataka, Is Now Being Restored to Its Chalukyan Glory
With the restoration of the Nagakunda, the Deccan Heritage Foundation is taking the lead in revitalizing local water systems and preserving the cultural heritage of Sudi.
Few people know of Sudi, a town often overlooked by travelers heading toward the popular site of Badami in Karnataka. However, for those who venture off the beaten path, Sudi offers a glimpse into a bygone era, showcasing splendid architecture from the Kalyani Chalukya period. Once a major trading hub under the Chalukyan dynasty, Sudi is home to several temples and a historic stepwell called Nagakunda. Over time, these monuments have succumbed to dust and deterioration, but now, the Deccan Heritage Foundation (DHF) is working to restore them.
“Chalukyan princess Akkadevi—one of the few medieval women known to have ruled territory and led armies in her own name—was active in Sudi from the 1020s to the 1050s. She constructed the spectacular Mallikarjuna shrine (originally Akkeshvara, meaning ‘Akka’s Lord’),” shares historian and author Anirudh Kanisetti. He further explains that Nagadeva, the deputy of Akkadevi’s nephew, Someshvara, commissioned the twin-towered Jodu Kalasha temple along with the Nagakunda stepwell. This stepwell exemplifies the marvelous craftsmanship for which the Chalukyas are renowned. Designed as an inverted temple, it features intricate elements of a temple’s exterior within the interior walls of the well.
A thousand years later, in January of this year, the DHF signed an agreement with the Government of Karnataka in the presence of Mr. H.K. Patil, Minister of Tourism, to restore the Nagakunda stepwell along with other 10th- and 11th-century monuments in Sudi. This initiative is part of the government’s Adopt a Monument scheme. The DHF is collaborating with Heritage Matters and the Water Literacy Foundation, with generous funding from Rajashree Pinnamaneni in memory of her late father, Dr. Subba Rao Devineni.
The restoration project will unfold in two phases. The first phase will focus on reconnecting the stepwell to natural aquifers, restoring it as a vital source of drinking water for the local community. Additionally, landscaping around the area will facilitate groundwater recharge, ensuring the sustainability of this hydraulic system. The second phase will involve the restoration of the Ganesha Shrine, two mantapas—one housing a Sivalinga and the other a Nandi—and the Jodu Kalasha temple.
“A photogrammetric survey conducted a decade ago by Professor Kailash Rao provides valuable insights into the extent of stone deterioration at these sites. One major concern is the visible pulverization of stone into powder in some areas,” explains Sarath Chandra, conservation architect at Heritage Matters. He confirms that “The restoration will prioritize halting further stone deterioration and carefully removing insensitive modern interventions added in recent decades.”
The overall site development will also include the revival of historical connections between the stepwell and the surrounding monuments, restoring the spatial linkages that once defined the landscape. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed later this year. Ultimately, the goal is for Sudi to reclaim its place on India’s cultural map as a significant heritage destination—one with its own architectural soul, just an hour away from Badami.
#Sudi #KarnatakaHeritage#ChalukyanArchitecture #Nagakunda#TempleArchitecture
#HistoricalIndia#IndianHistory#AncientWaterSystems
