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Archaeology team inspects temple

ALAPPUZHA: A team of the State Archaeology Department conducted inspections at the Pandanadu Muthavazhi Subrahmanya Swami temple near Chengannur here on Saturday, following claims and reports that the dome of the temple contained iridium, a precious metal several times costlier than gold.

The temple had started attracting visitors and researchers after its administration committee claimed that “foreign dealers” had approached them, saying a “German-based firm had satellite images and confirmed, through radiations, the presence of iridium” in the dome.

State Archaeology Director G. Ramachandran, who led the inspection team, told The Hindu that preliminary investigations revealed that the temple was indeed “very old,” perhaps “as old as the historic Chengannur temple.” However, the presence of iridium and the claims of emission of radiation could be confirmed only by national research laboratories.

“We will write to the Lucknow-based National Research Laboratory for Conservation of Cultural Property in India, the Baba Atomic Research Centre (BARC), the Geological Survey of India as well as State agencies like the Mining and Geology Department for a detailed inspection.

We believe BARC can give us an authoritative account on the radiation angle,” he said.

He also said that with the dome facing the threat of being stolen, he would write to the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police to take steps to provide security to the temple.

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