Date:05/08/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/05/stories/2005080501960500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Golden `Vasakaal' for temple

Staff Reporter

20 artisans took three months to craft the doorframe for Guruvayurappan Temple

ONE FOR THE LORD: These girls get a feel of the visual treat of the Golden `Vasakaal and pillars' displayed at the NAC Jewellers, Mylapore on Thursday. — Photo: M.Vedan

CHENNAI: Customers of NAC Jewellers, Mylapore, who visited the shop on Thursday were in for a surprise -- a golden "Vasakaal" (doorframe) was there to greet them at the shop.

The visual treat — comprising the Vasakaal and four pillars - has been designed for the Guruvayurappan Temple in Kerala.

It took 20 artisans from Kumbakonam and Hyderabad three months to create the doorframe and pillars weighing about 5 kg.

Commissioned by NRI

The work was commissioned by a Bahrain-based Non-resident Indian.

The initial stage of covering the pillars with copper sheets and embossing idols on them was done at the temple. The pillars were then covered with seven layers of gold foils, said Ananthapadmanabhan, partner of NAC Jewellers.

Speaking about the intricate craftsmanship, he said it took 15 days to emboss the Lakshmi figure atop the golden doorframe.

Cost Rs. 40 lakhs

The Vasakaal and pillars worth Rs. 40 lakhs were made of imported 24 kt gold of 0.999 purity.

The team from NAC Jewellers will leave for Guruvayur to fix the golden pillars on August 18.