Plans are afoot for consecration of Brahadheswarar Temple, Thanjavur, popularly known as Big Temple.
A press release issued by the district administration here on Tuesday indicates that the consecration is likely to be performed in the near future, after a gap of more than two decades. The last consecration was held in 1997, when a massive fire broke out at the yaga salai put up in the complex to conduct the rituals.
The subsequent consecration, which should have been held in 2009/10 was not performed, presumably in view of the millennium celebrations held in 2010. The temple is a World Heritage Monument.
During September last, when cleaning work was taken up at the complex, there was speculation that it was a prelude to the long-pending kumbabishekam . Recently, scaffolding was erected, covering the 216-foot tall tower above the main sanctum sanctorum, for chemical cleaning by ASI, once again raising expectations about the consecration ceremony.
