CHENNAI: The renovation work for the maha samprokshanam of the 8th Century Parthasarathy Temple in Triplicane, one of the 108 divya desams of Vaishnavites, has begun. The project costs `1 crore with the golden crown costing `55 lakh. The karnapatram (ear lobes) and kavachams (armour) have been given a gold plating.
The consecration of sannadhis is held here every 12 years in two phases, with the last two phases in 2004 and 2005. This time around, the first phase was completed last year at cost of `5 crore for the sannidhis of presiding deity Parthasarathy and for Andal, Vedavalli Thayar, Ranganathar, Kothandaramar, Ramanujar, Manavala Mamunigal and other acharyas apart from the rajagopuram (chief tower).
The sannadhis of Yoga Narasimha, Varadaraja Swami, Thirumazhisai Azhwar, Garudazhwar and Anjaneyar in the temple tank will also be consecrated. The vimanas and temple tower at the back, pandi gopuram, Narasimhar Kalayana mandapam, Narasimhar mandapam etc, would be renovated soon.
With instructions from Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the balalayam (temporary strucutres) of these sannadhis was built on Sunday. Till renovation is completed, rituals will not be held in the sannidhis. Instead, all poojas will be offered where the balalaya kalasams are kept.
The minister of Human Reasources & Charitable Endowmments Sevoor S Ramachandran, secretary TK Ramachandran, commissioner M Veerashanmugha Moni and executive officer took part in the rituals.