In the wake of recent opposition by a section of people against Archaeological Survey of India's move to bring the Sthalasayana Perumal Temple in Mamallapuram under its protection, archaeological experts say that there are several examples of ASI-protected temples in the State where conservation and worship co-exist.
The Vaikunta Perumal Temple and Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple in Kancheepuram, both of which are historically important, belonging to the Pallava Period, are under the ASI's protection. These temples are not only well-maintained and worshipped, but also free of commercial establishments in its vicinity.
An equally important example is the grand 11 century Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur which is a fine example of Chola architecture in the State.
“The Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur, and the Vaikunta Perumal Temple and Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple in Kancheepuram, came under the protection of the ASI in the 1920s and no restrictions were put on worship and religious activities,” says T. Sathyamurthy, former superintending archaeologist, ASI.
Citing examples such as the Dhenupurisvara Temple in Madambakkam which came under ASI protection in 1996, and Nityakalyanasvami Temple at Tiruvidanthai, which is one of the earliest Pallava temples, he said there are several such examples across the State where worship has not been affected.
However, not all attempts by ASI to declare a temple-in-worship as a monument has met with success or acceptance.
For example, in 2002, when ASI wanted to notify the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai as a monument and protect it, not only was the move met with huge public protest, but also faced opposition from the State government, leading to withdrawal of the notification.
But experts think that the Tiruvannamalai and Mamallapuram situations are not comparable.
In the case of Tiruvannamalai, it is a large temple complex under worship for a long time, while at Mamallpuram, it is a small stand-alone temple in the close vicinity of a monument enclave.
The dispute against the protection of Sthalasayana Perumal Temple is unfortunate, says Mr. Satyamurthy. “Arjuna's Penance, which is an ASI-protected monument is located right next to the temple. So, not much is going to change both in terms of the ‘300-metre' parameter and access to the temple.”
At Mamallapuram, a World Heritage Site, much is left to be desired. R. Nagaswamy, former director of archaeology, Tamil Nadu, says, “There needs to be an integrated, scientific approach to protect the world heritage site. The Sthalasayana Perumal Temple is an extremely important monument and has to be protected. In other important archaeological sites such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia, no unregulated commercial activity is allowed in the immediate vicinity and Cambodia is not a particularly affluent country.”
Keywords: Sthalasayana Perumal temple, ASI takeover, World Heritage sites, temple conservation, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple
Sri Sthalasayana Perumal temple is a recent structure in comparison to
the other structures in Mahabalipuram. If it is considered as ancient,
ASI has to virtually takeover and run all the temples in tamilnadu.
Please see the state of Sthalasayana Perumal in the Shore Temple who
was probably the original deity. In this temple maintained by ASI
people walk in with shoes, because it is a monument not a temple.
THe other temples were in ruins so takeover makes sense. But this
temple is already under HR &CE and well run. THis is only a blatant
interference to classify a living well run temple as a Monument.
The temples like Vaikunatha Perumal Kovils, have no Brahmostavams or
worship rituals on par with other Divya desam temples due to the take
over.This kind of freeze under the garb of ASI takeover will hamper
organising new lectures, relgious discourses and discussions. In
trying to takeover a 500 year old temple of much recent times ASI
intentions smells fishy-
The first result of mass worship in temples in Tamil Nadu is the pervasive filth and
uncleanliness of the area starting from the sanctum sanctorum and spreading outward to
envelop the entire temple complex.This can and does bring recognisable damage to the art
and aesthetic aspects of the temples.Unfortunately,this is taken as very natural and hence
beyond reproach or correction.This obviously is in conflict with the aim and purpose of
bringing a temple under the ASI since the latter is entrusted with the responsibility of
preserving the heritage in as original a form as is practicable.But the ASI has neither an
immdiate power nor enough personnel to stop any damage from mass worship. If and when
a temple is brought under the ASI,the trustees and the govt appointed commissioner of the
temple should act in full consonance with the ASI,and if I may say,under it's directive so far
as the preservation of the heritage is concerned.
Those who have travelled around the country would know how heritage
monuments in our country are being stripped gradually of their
historical and architectural significance. An entire "worship
industry", often propped by local political powers and other patrons,
revolves around these sites. Changes made to these heritage structures
are often brazen, visually tiring, illogical, and unaesthetic. They
are in complete disrespect of the monuments' original style and
splendour, and leave absolutely no scope for the visitor to appreciate
a monument's historical or cultural value. Most ASI officials are very
knowledgeable and competent. Sadly, they are powerless against local
political powers to enforce regulations. Even more devastating is the
indifference to this obfuscating and destruction of a nation's
cultural heritage by the public who not only just "pray and leave",
but also support uwittingly a history-corrosive and unecological
service industry around such structures.
ASI is really poor in execution.In Thrissur ,the work on Vadakkunnatha temple is now on for almost 20 years .it may take another twenty years to complete.It is not a very crowded temple and the delay is the inefficiency of the ASI.
It isunfortunate that they obstruct worship
The protests are organised by vested interests and hence should not give in to their
demands. The temple should be protected and maintained by heritage preservers
Dear Sir: We are probably acknowledging our inability to collectively maintain what was handed over to us decades and centuries back and built by the people and rulers of those times with very little of the engineering help that we have today. So much so for saying that our way of life is a continuing one and is the oldest living entity.
It is good revive give life to monumental structure with out adding
any thing (not even a cloth, temporary shelters, not allowing any
commercial establishment, not allowing any management group, not
allowing interference of endowments, just symbolic religious activity
shall be permitted, except for security reasons it shall be open to
all, photography shall not be restricted.
In Warangal, Andhra Pradesh thousand pillar temple is opened for
worship it is good, it is one of the finest structure, very important
for students of art, architecture and cultures shall be retained
original form for study. No offerings, sale of Prasadam shall be
encouraged, no events shall be encouraged which may effect the
structure, calmness of the place gives it a rich appreciation.
Another structure, Badrachalam Sri ram temple,in black stone, In my
opinion lost its art and architectural importance as the added sheds
around the structure, reconstruction of Dwajastambam RCC structure in
sensitively built.
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