The Archaeology Department has decided to give a facelift to the Veluthampi Dalawa Memorial at Mannady near Adoor.
The museum was built as a tribute to the legendary freedom fighter Veluthampi Dalawa who was the minister of Maharaja Bala Rama Varma of the erstwhile Travancore kingdom.
The memorial of the erstwhile Diwan of the Travancore State has been designed in such a way that it could tell the life history of the freedom fighter, who had given up his life fighting for the freedom of his mother land against the British.
Veluthampi had spent his last days at Mannadi, where he had ended his life to avoid humiliation at the hands of the British after leading a rebellion and a valiant fight against the British.
The department has already set up an archaeological museum in a double-storey building at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 lakhs at Mannady three years back. However, the museum is yet to have enough materials for display.
According to official sources, the Archaeology department will set up a retiring complex as part of the development project.
Renovation of the garden surrounding the statue of Veluthampi, construction of comfort stations, bathrooms, drinking water kiosks, and refreshment stalls are part of the proposed development scheme, sources said.
The department is planning to launch the development work at the earliest with a view to attract more tourists to Mannady.
A decorative arch will be erected at the entrance of the museum, besides installing sign boards at Enathu on the MC Road and in Adoor town, according to sources.
