CHENNAI:The renovation works ahead of the kumbhabhisekham (consecration) of Sri Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore, one of the key Saivaite shrines in Chennai, have begun at an estimated cost of Rs 9 crore, under the strict supervision of archaeological experts. A balalayam ritual was performed on September 9 to facilitate the renovation works in all parts of the temple. “All renovation works are expected to be completed within four months,” said D Kaveri, joint commissioner/executive officer of the temple.
On Friday, R Kannan, Secretary, Culture, Museums, Tourism and Religious Endowments Departments of Tamil Nadu Government, experts from Archaeological Survey of India including KT Narasimhan, former Superintending Archaeologist of Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai Circle, and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner Veera Shanmuga Moni studied the top of the rajagopuram and other parts of the temple. They made suggestions on how to go ahead with the renovation.
Narasimhan, who had supervised the renovation works recently at Srirangam temple, gave instructions to the sthapathis (sculptors). He added that no chemical would be used for painting the gopurams. Instead, herbal mixture would be applied to protect the antiquity of the temple.
“The top of the gopuram is called brahmarandiram. The kalasams will be installed above this structure. Normally, wood is used for this purpose, but here brick has been used and the brick should be exposed for air circulation. But in Kapaleeswara temple gopuram, the bricks have been closed with plastering in the recent years and it should be removed,” Narasimhan said, explaining to the sthapathis how to remove the plastering without affecting the structure.
He added that instead of iron hammers, wooden ones should be used in the process.
At the eastern entrance of the temple, the paksha kavaksham (side walls) have been covered with cement wall and it should be removed to restore the original structure of the gopuram. The present pillars in the entrance are called sarvadobhadra pillars. One can view the architectural wonders on all sides of the pillar, once the sidewalls are removed.
Kaveri said that the last consecration was held in August 2004 and later, in 2005, consecration was performed to rajagopuram alone after it was struck by a thunder. In all, 19 vimanas and two gopurams would be renovated. While the civil works are expected to cost around Rs four crore, the gold works is estimated at Rs five crore. Donors have been volunteering to undertake various works for consecration, she added.
She said that the Nagaabaranam (serpentine structure around Lord Kapaleeswarar), so far made of golden-coated copper, would be replaced by a new one fully made of gold. For this around four kilos of gold worth Rs three crore would be used.
Now, the balalayam for two gopurams have been done. Another balalayam for the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Kapaleeswarar and Goddess Karpagambal will be performed after two months. From then on, no poojas will be performed for the main deities, till the consecration of the temple.