Minister for Backward Classes Welfare and Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj Tangadagi, announced on Tuesday that the state government is aiming to inaugurate the Veera Bhoomi Sangolli Rayanna Museum in Nandagad, Belagavi district, by early December. He directed officials to complete all pending work promptly.
“The government has undertaken several projects in memory of Sangolli Rayanna, a lieutenant of Rani Channamma of Kittur, including a memorial park and residential school in Sangolli, with a combined budget of ₹261 crore. The museum in Nandagad, covering 13 acres and costing ₹59 crore, is a key part of these efforts,” Tangadagi said.
He noted that amenities such as a restaurant, parking area, and toilets have been completed, and urged officials to finish remaining tasks like the compound wall, road, and artwork installations within a week. The Public Works Department is also constructing a concrete road linking Rayanna’s tomb to the museum.
The minister highlighted that most of the work is complete, except for the installation of an animated cinema tool, which is pending due to tender finalization. “While this element will be added later, the rest of the museum is ready for inauguration,” he added.
Tangadagi instructed officials to ensure timely payments to contractors and urged them to stick to deadlines without worrying about payment delays. He emphasized that if there are any setbacks, the museum should still be inaugurated before the end of the winter session.
Efforts are also underway to make the museum a prominent tourist destination, with plans to introduce a moderate entry fee. Additionally, a statue of Sangolli Rayanna is set to be unveiled on the Nandagad tank bund.
“Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has already dedicated the Sainik School in Sangolli to the public. These initiatives aim to educate today’s youth about the contributions of historical figures like Sangolli Rayanna,” Tangadagi said.
Karnataka State Guarantee Scheme Implementation Authority Chairman H.M. Revanna, Khanapur MLA Vitthala Halagekar, and other officials, including Regional Commissioner Sanjay Shettannavar and Khanapur Tahsildar Prakash Gaikwad, were present during the announcement.
