Date:12/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061215450300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Renovation work at Mahal gaining pace

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, JUNE 11. The renovation work at Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, pride of the Temple City, is gaining pace.

The workers, who went on a `short vacation' during the general elections and the Chitrai festival, have returned and are now busy plastering work on the outer wall of the northern side of the `Mandiri' dome.

Though many labourers took a break, work was not affected and minor works were carried out with the available hands, according to sources at the Mahal.

Meanwhile, V. Ramadass, Information and Tourism Secretary to the State Government, today inspected the renovation work. He enquired with archaeology officials about the work carried out in the first phase, the current status of the project and what needed to be done.

Santhalingam, Archaeological Officer, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, briefed him on the work and said the repair work on the pillars would be taken up in the next phase.

Last week, the Collector, D. Raajendiran, also inspected the work.

The former Collector, B. Chandra Mohan, inaugurated the renovation work, undertaken by the Public Works Department on the advice of Archaeology Department conservation experts, on January 21.