Date:29/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/29/stories/2007012914090100.htm

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Repair work on in temple

Staff Reporter

MADURAI: The repair of cracks on some structures at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here began on Sunday.

The beams and pillars that have developed cracks will be replaced by the identical ones, said Vaidyanatha Ganapati Stapathi (Muthiah Sthapati), head of the Sthapati Advisory Committee, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

After a `bhoomi puja' performed by Kumar Bhattar and Shanmugasundaram Bhattar, Mr. Ganapati Stapathi broke a tile, marking the beginning of the work. During the initial phase, the scaffoldings around one of the `mandapams' would be replaced along with formations that have developed cracks. The cost was estimated at Rs. 30 lakh. The work would be completed in three months. T. Swaminathan, Joint Commissioner, HR and CE and Executive Officer of the temple, said care was being taken to ensure devotees did not have any trouble. "The work around Golden Lotus Tank will be taken up last, as it will take at least a year for completion." All works were likely to be completed in about two years at a cost of Rs. 1 crore borne by the temple.

Kumbabishekam

He said renovation works for the `kumbabishekam' would get under way soon. A sum of Rs. 5 crore would be spent. The Thousand Pillars Museum would be renovated at a cost of Rs. 155 lakh, the work of which would start in March. A sum of Rs. 32 lakh would be spent on the paintings at the wedding hall.