Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
Dharmothana Trust envisions the revival of India's sacred heritage by restoring ancient temples to their original glory, preserving traditional craftsmanship, and reconnecting them with living spiritual practices. Guided by the vision of Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade, the initiative blends heritage conservation with community participation, ensuring that temples remain vibrant centers of culture, devotion, and social harmony.
- To ensure that Karnataka's rich history, represented by its ancient temples and Basadis, is not erased by time or neglect.
- To transform "dilapidated ruins" back into vibrant, functioning centers of daily life, rituals, and community gathering.
- To create a model where heritage is not treated as a static artifact, but as a living component of the present-day social fabric.
- To restore monuments in strict accordance with their original architectural DNA, honoring the craftsmanship of our ancestors.
Our Mission
To systematically restore, meticulously preserve, and continuously revitalize sacred temples through rigorous historical scholarship, respectful manual craftsmanship, and community empowerment.
- Identifying ancient, dilapidated temples, Basadis, and historical monuments in danger of total destruction, and preventing their demolition.
- Utilizing a team of archaeologists, historians, engineers, and traditional sculptors (Shilpis) to restore these monuments as closely as possible to their original design.
- Facilitating a sustainable partnership between the Trust, the Government, and the Local Community.
- Actively involving villagers in the restoration process, which fosters a sense of ownership, ensuring long-term maintenance.
- Ensuring that restored monuments are returned to the community for active, daily worship and traditional rituals.
Heritage Restoration Journey
- On receiving information from locals about a monument in ruins, a team of professionals visit the site to evaluate its condition.
- Once certified, technical experts accompanied by experienced archaeologists and engineers survey the site to evaluate damage.
- The Trust working with its engineers and consultants estimates the structural restoration costs.
- Once approved, proposals are submitted to State Archaeology and Museums. Following high-powered committee authorization, original historical fragments are scouted in surrounding areas for reconstruction.
Core Values
Reverence & Integrity
We honor the sacred intent of ancient architecture by performing every restoration with absolute honesty, ensuring structural and historical truth.
Community Partnership
We believe true preservation requires collective ownership; by involving local residents in funding and oversight, we ensure long-term care for the monument.
Scholarly Excellence
We employ rigorous archaeological research and traditional Sthapathya (architectural) knowledge to ensure every restoration aligns with original historical and artistic standards.
Living Traditions
We maintain temples as active centers of faith, ensuring that restored sites continue to host daily rituals and festivals, keeping the heritage alive in the hearts of the people.