Somanatheswara Temple gets grant Rs 4.5cr from Infy Foundation

Infosys Foundation, the philanthropic arm of IT major Infosys, today said it has contributed Rs 4.5 crore towards the archaeological restoration of Somanatheswara Temple Complex in Karnataka.
Situation in the town of Lakshmeshwara, about 40 km from Hubli, the temple complex is over 1,400 years old.
"The Infosys Foundation has contributed Rs 4.5 crore towards the architectural and cultural restoration of the temple, including repair of ancient structures as old as 1,400 years," it said in a statement.
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, it added.

The area is renowned for its unique edifices, which showcase the finest architecture from the Chalukyan, the Rashtrakuta and the Vijayanagara periods.
As part of its ongoing effort to support programmes in art and culture, Infosys Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Conservation of Heritage and Rural Education (CHARE) in 2012 for the conservation of the Somanatheshwara 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. The Somanatheswara archeological complex reflects the glory of Karnataka's artistic craftsmanship and the essence of its culture and tradition," Infosys Foundation Chairperson Sudha Murthy said.

By supporting its restoration, the Infosys Foundation is doing its bit to support historical art and culture, she added.
Infosys contributes 2 per cent of its profits averaged over the past three years to the Foundation each year. For this fiscal, the company has pledged Rs 270 crore to the Infosys Foundation.