A team from the Archaeological Department on Wednesday inspected the 400-year-old Sreekovil of the Anandawalleshwaram Sri Mahadevar Temple which was to be replaced with a new structure.
The department had formally objected to the demolition of the existing structure. Temple authorities told the team members, led by its director G. Premkumar, that it would not be a full-scale demolition but only renovation.
Mr. Premkumar said that a demolition would not be permitted. Instead only renovation and repairs could be done.
That should be done under the supervision of the Archaeological Department.” he said. Mr. Premkumar said the department was prepared to offer all technical support for the work.
Before the work commences, the department would send its representative to document the structure. The temple authorities were also asked not to use any modern building materials for the renovation work. Marble slabs should not be used. The renovated structure should have the exact number of rafters too.
Mr. Premkumar registered his objections to the failure to preserve the heritage look of the temple.
Mr. Premkumar said the heritage look of the ancient carved works in wood and granite at the temple had been marred by coating them with paint.
He was particularly critical about painting on the pillars of the centuries-old ‘namaskara mandapam.’ He said the department would write to the TDB authorities on the need to restore its original look.
