Udupi : World Tourism Day celebration in this district is all set to present Katthale Basadi in a whole new light. While the celebration per se will be held on Wednesday, district administration is all set to illuminate this basadi in the erstwhile capital of the Alupas that ruled this part of the state at Barkur using oil wick lamps on Tuesday to give tourists a new way of experiencing this historical monument and draw more tourists to this place in the future as well.

Brainchild of Priyanka Mary Francis, deputy commissioner, this celebration in meant to take the actual celebration to the ground level and not just limit it to a routine function. She has also drawn up a blue print to make this capital city of Alupas as the new focal point of tourism in the district. Students from schools and colleges and voluntary service organisations will join hands in this endeavor of the administration to light oil wick lamps at the basadi on the day.

History has it that the 20 feet tall basadi with single stone slab pillars for support had 24 idols of Jain thirthankars. As per the Southern style of architecture, the basadi has no covered roof, but presents evidence of provision for a sloping roof. The sanctum sanctorum of the basadi contained the idol of Mahaveera, one of the thirthankaras as per edicts available in the place. Historians estimate that this basadi was constructed sometime between 8th to 12th Century AD.

One can view Navarang, Nagakali, Vishnu and other jain deities at this basadi. This capital of Tulu speaking population also has connections to Vijayanagar empire with Pandari Deva the governor of the region under Harihara II of the empire. Edicts indicate that Barkur saw three major constructions between 9th and 13th C and there were 365 temples in the region. Remnants of Alupa kingdom can be seen in the area, highlighting significance of the area as a tourist spot