Concerned over mindless renovations undertaken at several temples with scant regard for ahamas and conservation principles, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has decided to document all the temples and empanel experts to advise it on restoration work to be taken up.
Explaining the aims and objectives of the exercise, T.K. Ramachandran, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of the HR&CE, told The Hindu that the exercise would include audio, video and digital documentation of all temples, especially heritage temples.
The documentation will cover the architectural features, sculptures, icons, murals, rathams , vahanas , sthala vrikshas , nandavanams , sacred groves etc., as well as the rituals and festivals associated with them.
“The temples have not only been spiritual and religious hubs, but have also been centres of social, cultural, economic and educational activity in the region around which temple towns grew and flourished. People raise concrete structures and deface murals and other works in the name of renovation. There is a need to create awareness and sensitise all stakeholders about the importance of antiquity,” he said.
‘Complex process’
Mr. Ramachandran explained that people often complained that the department was denying permission to hold kumbabishekams (consecration), without realising that conservation of temples and concomitant infrastructure development were a continuous and complex process.
“We have decided to empanel experts, professionals and volunteers, including retired government officials as well as organisations with appropriate expertise, experience and requisite qualifications,” he said.
The services of the empanelled experts will be used for documentation, supervision of work and preparations of standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals and training modules, among others. Mr. Ramachandran said the exercise would include scientific ‘inventorisation’ and cataloguing of all temple assets and properties.
The department has invited applications from experts including sculptors, epigraphists, civil and structural engineers and anyone with expertise on temple architecture and conservation.
The application format can be obtained on the website www.tnhrce.gov.in . The resumes should be sent to commr.hrce@tn.gov.in by October 15.
