The State government has ensured the protection of 1,000-year old Naganathaswamy temple near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district that was facing demolition a year ago by declaring it a protected monument.
Declared as an ancient monument last September, the Arulmigu Naganathaswamy temple at Manambadi village, Tiruvidai Maruthur taluk, has been declared a protected monument under the Tamil Nadu Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1966.
A government order was passed on May 15, 2014 by the Tourism, Culturem and Religious Endowments Department which has been subsequently notified by the Governor.
“There are over 38,000 temples across the State. And several thousands of the temples are ancient monuments, which are at least 100 years old. The government, the Centre, or the State, can’t protect them all. The status of protected monument is accorded based on specific parameters, including the regional and cultural importance,” said a senior archaeologist.
On May 16, The Hindu carried a report that the temple was facing the threat of demolition for expansion of a road under the Thanjavur–Vikkkiravandi four-way project of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Following the report, the government had declared it an ancient monument last September which now has been included as one of the 86 monuments spread all over the State protected by the Department of Archaeology.
The historical interest along with the workmanship and the styles the temple depicts, the antique value, the inscriptions and sculptures in it are taken into consideration before declaring it a protected monument, officials say.
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