THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of its extensive heritage tourism circuit project in south Kerala, the Tourism Department commenced the civil works of the development projects in Kulangara Temple near Kazhakoottam.
Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran launched the works in an event held at Kazhakkoottam Palace premises. Pilgrim heritage tourism circuit project by Kerala Tourism aims to connect three prominent pilgrim centres in Thiruvananthapuram such as Kulangara Temple, Kolathukara Temple and Manvila Temple.
The government is spending Rs 17.19 crore in total for the project. The linking of the temples has been done for the convenience of pilgrims from other states as these temples are currently the transit points during the pilgrimage to Sabarimala shrine as well as Sivagiri Math and Chempazhanthi Gurukulam.
“With the growth of IT industry, Kazhakkoottam has grown as a major industrial hub in the capital district. Yet the demand of the local community for a public recreation area had to be addressed. The development works in Kulangara Temple is aimed at the local community as well as the pilgrims coming into the region for visiting the major pilgrim centers such as Sabarimala and Sivagiri Math,” Kadakampally said.
V K Prasanth, Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and P Bala Kiran, director, Kerala Tourism were also present in the event along with other public representatives.
Kulangara Temple
A total of Rs 4.95 crore will be spent for the infrastructure development of the Kulangara Temple which includes a park of international standards, an amphitheatre and an auditorium spread out on 1.5 acres of land handed over by the Devaswom Board to Tourism Department.
As per the administrative sanction issued by the government, the operation and maintenance of the project have to be jointly done by Devaswom Board and DTPC Thiruvananthapuram on revenue- cost-sharing basis. Executed by DTPC Thiruvananthapuram, the project includes a pond with beautiful landscaping, a cafeteria, children’s play area, toilet block and a paved parking lot. The buildings, compound wall and the gateway will be built with traditional Kerala architecture elements. A paved pathway too will be built around the pond.
Manvila Temple
The government has planned to construct Rs 80 lakh worth conference hall beside the temple in Manvila Ayyankali Colony which is a part of the circuit. A modern library will be built at Chembazhanthi Gurukulam. Considering the historical importance of Aniyoor Temple where Sree Narayana Guru and Chattambi Swami met for the first time, government has decided to renovate and develop the monument near the temple, the minister said. Around three crore rupees will be spent for the development projects in the area.
Kolathukara Temple
The Tourism minister had commenced the civil works in Kolathukara Shiva Temple which is part of the circuit on Monday. The plan is to upgrade the temple as a national heritage tourism destination considering the status of‘Shivaprathishta’ by Sree Narayana Guru after the famed Aruvippuram Prathishta in 1888. The modern auditorium worth Rs 2.39 crore designed by architect G Shankar will be completed in February.