1. Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion in Mysuru gets over ₹30 crore for restoration
The nearly 120-year-old Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, belonging to the University of Mysore, will be restored to its original glory at a cost of around ₹30 crore. While the Harish & Bina Shah Foundation (HBSF) has agreed to contribute ₹30 crore, the US government’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) will chip in with nearly ₹2.5 crore ($300,000).
The restoration will be carried out by Deccan Heritage Foundation, which specialises in conservation of historic structures and has worked on projects in Hampi, Hyderabad and Kalaburagi. The mansion, built in 1905 as a residence for princess Jayalakshmi Ammani, daughter of Chamaraja Wadiyar, was restored once around 20 years ago with funding from Infosys Foundation. But, over the years, degeneration set in, and a portion of the roof collapsed. There was a threat of complete collapse during the monsoon.
