Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Welcome move

Sir, — Your Editorial `Conserving a heritage' (Nov. 11), has rightly termed the controversy arising out of the taking over of Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple by the Archaeological Survey of India as unnecessary. Instead of explaining the benefits arising out of the takeover by the ASI, the politicians in Tamil Nadu want to gain political mileage by exploiting the popularity of the temple among the masses. The preservation of the ancient temple is of utmost importance for which the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department does not have the requisite experience. The State Government is more worried about the loss of revenue arising out of hundi collections rather than preserving the national heritage. When the ASI has given an assurance that it will not interfere with the religious ceremonies and take the hundi collections where is the need for opposing the move?

R.Muralikumar,

Chennai Sir, — The fight over the ASI's move to declare the Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai a "monument of national importance" is unwarranted. The argument that the ASI's move would cause inconvenience to the devotees and thereby affect its tourism potential is baseless. The Brahadeeswarar temple at Thanjavur and the Rock Fort Temple at Tiruchi are under the protective care of the ASI. The devotees visiting these temples experience no inconvenience and these temples are flourishing tourism spots.

At the same time, the argument put forward by some that the ASI would do miracles to the maintenance of the temple and the "giri valam" area might prove to be an "hyperbolised expectation" given the indifferent attitude of the ASI in maintaining many monuments. The poor maintenance of some of the monuments at Mahabalipuram is a classic example.

V. Balasubramanian,

Porayar, T.N.

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