Date:07/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/07/stories/2006120701732200.htm

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Renovation of `1,000-pillar' structure

M. Balaganessin

PUDUKOTTAI: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has speeded up the renovation of the 1,000-pillar mandapam at the rock-cut temple of Sri Kuduminathar at Kudumiyanmalai, in Tamil Nadu's Pudukottai district.

The 9th century temple is a store-house of rare inscriptions and carvings, and an engineering marvel.

Although popularly referred to as the 1,000-pillar mandapam, it has 644 pillars — 322 on the northern side and an equal number on the south of the main prakara leading to the sanctum sanctorum. Over the years, the structure has been weakened, and three years ago the ASI barred the entry of devotees while renovation work is undertaken. "We took care to retain the original order of every stone structure and its beauty. At the time of removal, the pillars and beams were numbered in rows and columns, and the seriatim was maintained in all perfection while re-constructing it," said Senior Conservation Assistant P. Vasudevan. In all, 29 pillars were replaced.

The work is being done in three stages. In the initial phase, the base stones, pillars, capital, beam and ceiling slabs were removed. Then the structures were re-arranged in the same order and reinforced using `brijally'— comprising powdered brick and `jally'. Finally, the ceiling slabs are reinforced with powdered lime and `brijally.'

The ceiling has been newly provided with a series of brick ventilators to allow sunlight in, adding to the beauty.

"Water-tightening will be followed by fixing of two layers of tiles and the entire ceiling will be plastered using lime and cement," Mr. Vasudevan said.