Sushma impressed with Hampi ruins

Bellary, Karnataka, Aug 5 (UNI) Impressed with the beauty of the world heritage centre of Hampi, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj today gave a call for protecting the monuments for posterity.

''They are beautiful...they impress me. That's why I do not call them ruins. This is our traditional heritage and we should protect them for the coming generations,'' she told reporters after offering pooja at Lord Virupaksheswara temple.

Stating that the Centre was committed to introduce Palace on Wheels train in the region, covering Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore, Hampi and Bijapur, the Rajya Sabha member said the Centre had sanctioned Rs eight crore for the purpose and with a matching grant from the State, it would be a reality.

Earlier, Ms Swaraj got a grand welcome at Hampi, with the temple elephant garlanding her at the temple entrance. She launched seven tongas to move from one monument to another within the Hampi region, without polluting the air.

The entire King's street in Hampi was decorated to symbolise its once regal splendour, with ''soldiers'' in traditional attire standing on either side of the road. Ms Swaraj was brought to the dais, amidst chanting of vedas and blowing of trumpets, followed by virgins carrying Poorna Kumbha Kalasams (Urns). Accompanied by State Tourism Minister B Sriramulu and her daughter Bansuri, she went round the King's street in a tonga.

In the morning, Ms Swaraj offered 'Baagina' to Tungabhadra reservoir, which had reached its brim of 1,633 ft.

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