The Rs. 50 lakh Tourist Complex in the vicinity of Brahadeeswarar temple at Gandgaikondacholapuram near Jayankondam, a UNESCO (United Nations Educational, scientific and Cultural Organisation) world Heritage monument maintained by the Archaeology Society of India, is nearing completion.
The Tourism Department which is supervising the works will hand over the complex consisting of a museum, shops, rest rooms, and canteen to the HR & CE department that runs the temple in a month’s time, it is learnt. More than 95 per cent of the works have been completed. Once the electrical works get over, the complex will be commissioned, official sources said. The rest rooms encompass two-block one one-block deluxe set up rooms and ordinary rooms.
According to the Executive Officer of the temple M. Asana Ambikai, ever since the temple was declared as a world heritage monument during 2004, the number of visitors has been on the rise. Foreign tourists evince greater interest in understanding the grandeur and excellence of Chola architecture and sculpture that the temple features. The sprawling lush green lawns on the temple premises that are nurtured well by the Horticulture department teems with children especially during week-ends.
The temple ranks among the top four places of archaeological significance in Tamil Nadu. The other three are the Brahadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, the Airavatesvara temple of Darasuram, and the other Chola temple in Tirubuvanam. The work on the Tourist complex located on a two-acre site in the limits of Guruvalappar Kovil revenue village commenced in 2007.
