Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram   

Facelift for Padmanabha Swamy temple

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 9. The famed Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple is gearing up for a major facelift following the recent remodelling of the two gopurams at the South and West entrances of the sprawling complex.

The restoration work, which began last year, is to be extended to the inner courtyard soon.

The two gates were reconstructed without disturbing the architectural harmony of the structure.

A lower tier was added to the roof of each of the gopurams spanning the entire length of the edifice. The tiled tier also incorporates a carved wooden gable to retain the symmetry.

The architect, B. Arjunan, who undertook the restoration said the addition of the lower tier was an engineering challenge since the overhanging structure had to be built without supporting pillars.

"Using pillars would have restricted the entry of elephants into the complex during the festival besides blocking the narrow roads around the temple.''

The feat was accomplished by fusing a concrete cantilever beam to the granite frame of the gate at a height of 15 feet.

The remodelling exercise strictly adhered to Vaastu principles of temple architecture. The design was developed by the acclaimed Vaastu expert, Kanippayoor Krishnan Namboodiripad, while the structural aspects were evolved by a team of specialists in traditional architecture.

The new tiled roof replaces the tin sheet, which was used to ward off the rain.

The work also involved restoration of the intricately carved granite pillars supporting the roof and the wooden lattices on the right side of the South gopuram.

According to the director of the Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan, M.G. Sasibhooshan, the remodelling work was an attempt to emphasise the Kerala style of architecture over the Dravidian influence, which was evident in some of the structures inside the complex.

"It was not only the aesthetics which mattered. The design had to conform to the scientific Vaastu principles of measurement and alignment which constitute the basis of architectural harmony.''

The head of the royal family of the erstwhile Travancore, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, who authorised the remodelling work, told The Hindu that the design and structural work were carefully evolved to ensure that the distinct Kerala style of architecture runs throughout.

He said the restoration would be extended to the inner courtyard of the complex. "The concrete pillars inside the corridor will soon be replaced by granite.''

The restoration of the North gopuram is expected to commence soon after the Painkuni festival. This will be followed by replacing the tiles on the upper tier of the three gates.

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