It requires tremendous will to work together for a common cause and the glory it brings is the reward for the effort. The residents of Triplicance seemed to have realised this and have worked together towards restoring the famous eighth Century temple of Sri Parthasarathy, to its past glory. The restoration works have been done in a meticulous manner, without compromising the Agama sastras and traditions, says M. Veerashanmuga Moni, HR and CE Commissioner.
More than the renovation, the focus was on the restoration works, says Mr. Veerashanmuga Moni. Special care was taken to maintain the ambience of the temple, he said. Archaeologists such as K.T. Narasimhan and Kannan were consulted during the renovation works so that historical evidences were not disturbed.
Mr. P. Kothandaraman, Deputy Commissioner of the temple, calls himself lucky that such a massive restoration was done under his charge. When the encroachments around the Andal neerattu mantapam were removed, the temple authorities were delighted to see its elegance, he says.
A.T. Paranjothi said that gold has been added to the 132 kalasams on the vimanams on the Rajagopuram and other vimanams.
Parthasarathy Bhattachariar, head priest of the temple, said since 1937, restoration and renovation works have not been carried in such a massive scale and he appreciated the authorities for the special focus given to the temple. “Authorities took extreme care in adhering to the Agamas and they consulted us during the works,” he said.
In short, the Pallava temple has regained its glorious past. As one devotee puts it, “The present condition of the temple which was tense is now made into past perfect.”
