Kalkeri village is situated about 15 kms to the west of Haveri town which is its district head quarters. Haveri Anavatti Road passes through the village. Kalkeri is historically very important has good number of temples of different sizes distributed in its surroundings. The most of these temples have already collapsed, due to negligence of public. Since Sri Someswara Temple complex and Sri Basaveswara Temples are situated close to the village and inside village respectively they are surviving. Even out of these Sri Someswara Temple structures such as stone stepped type shikaras, sloppy roof slabs are in the verge of collapse stage. Condition of Sri Basveswara Temple is in good condition. Basaveswatra Temple has 4 cells (Garbhagrihas) with a common Navaranga. At present main cell has a linga and opposite to this cell has a Surya figure. The other 2 cells does not have original deities. In that place Naga stones and Vishnu figures are kept which are not original ones. The Navaranga has 4 niches. At present in one nich original Saraswathi figure is available in damaged condition. Further a huge and very elegantly carved Nandi is available in the Antarala in front of Surya cell.

Kalkeri villagers have formed a committee under the presidentship of Dr. Banakar native of village now stationed at Hubli for repairing Sri Basveswara temple and approached our trust for repairing the temple. Recently Dr. B. Narasimhaiah retired director of archeological survey of India inspected the temple and gave some suggestion. Basing on his inspection notes the estimate is recasted covering all the points for execution.

Condition of the Temple

The estimate prepared to remove the earth dumped on the top of the roof of the temple along with the remains of the brick superstructure. The earth was dumped to prevent the leakage in the ceiling. The dumped earth should be removed, but not the brickwork. Because, the brickwork is the remnants of the original shikharas on four garbhagrihas of the temple and the hara portion of the superstructure. No doubt the brick superstructure is in dilapidated condition, and it is difficult to have complete picture of the shikharas and hara portion. However, by piecing together the available architectural details at many places, the shikhara and hara portions can be reconstructed. It is time consuming and difficult task, but is worth pains taking to save the important architectural component of this temple. It may be remembered here that there is no Later Chalukya temple known to have brick superstructure in the country. Therefore, it is not only unique but also contributes to the history of architecture in Karnataka.

While restoring the shikharas and haras the bricks of the same original size should be used. The bricks may be got made to order. The cement should not be used as binding material, instead Fine lime should be used. There is a proposal to strengthen the foundation by underpinning. Even the foundation of the pillars and pilasters in the mantapa in front of four shrines should also be strengthened. One pillar in the mantapa that has sunk a little should be brought to its original level. The flooring paved with stone slabs should be reconditioned. There is a proposal in the estimate to dismantle some of the wall portions of the temple. This item need not be executed. The gaps in the blocks of stones in the masonry of the wall are not due to any disturbance in the foundation. It is due to heavy growth of vegetation. The roots of the trees, which might have grown on the temple, had dislodged these stones. This is evident by the phenomenon that the stones have moved horizontally from their original places. There is no evidence for vertical movement. Therefore, we may be rest assured that there is nothing wrong in the foundation, and there is no danger to the monument.

The stones, which have been dislodged, can be brought to their original place by putting horizontal pressure. If it is not possible, we leave them as they are and the gaps may be filled up by recess pointing, after thoroughly grouting the gaps. We can even close the gaps with stone pieces of suitable size, but after grouting.