Politicians of Tamil Nadu have resources, time, money, manpower everything to build and maintain statues of political leaders, but they don’t want to do anything for our rich cultural heritage. They just want money and lands of temples, but don’t want to look after dilapidated ancient temples. To change this situation, establishment of Hindu Rashtra is the only solution ! – Editor, Hindujagruti
The Rajagopuram of the Abatsahayesvar temple, a Chola-era structure in Thukkachi, 15km from Kumbakonam, is covered with thick vegetation and moss giving it a decrepit look.
The undergrowth, cracks, fading murals and broken sculptures make it hard to believe that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department of the Tamil Nadu government maintains the brick and stone structure. The temple was to get a facelift three years ago but the project was abandoned. It is believed that the original structure was built by Rajendra Chola I (AD1014-1044) and the temple was expanded later by Vikrama Chola (AD1118-1135).
“We have many magnificent Chola-era temples. However, this is a rare brick-and-stone one. The word ‘maintain’ doesn’t mean anything here, and that’s a tragedy,” said R Gopu, a heritage activist based in Chennai. The renovation work, which began three years ago, was stopped later mainly because it was damaging the existing structure. “The artisans lacked talent to restore the delicate brick work of this temple. The restoration work was stopped, giving way to further deterioration,” he said.
The Abatsahayesvar temple is known for its delicate brick structure interwoven with stone pillars. “The arrangement of bricks is done beautifully as the way it is done in stone-structured ones. The style is important as we don’t have many temples like this today. It is deteriorating day by day,” said R Vishwanathan, who teaches painting to the students of department of visual communication at Chennai’s National Science & Arts College. Three years ago, when Vishwanathan visited the temple, the murals of Lord Shiva and the ceiling were in a bad shape. Many who visit the temple still don’t know the significance associated with the Chola-era murals. “They are in ruins and no one has taken any step to preserve them. These are rare pieces of art belonging to the Chola era. If we don’t take care of them now, they will disappear soon,” he said.
The photographs of the ruins of Abatsahayesvar temple are disturbing. “I don’t know whether the HR&CE is aware of it. The state government must take immediate steps to renovate the temple. Otherwise, the photographs will remain an example of the government’s apathy when it comes to conservation of heritage sites,” said Vishwanathan.
Source : TOI
