The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Thanjavur News : `Mukthambal Chathiram must be declared national monument' `Mukthambal Chathiram deserves to be declared a monument'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 27, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Thanjavur

`Mukthambal Chathiram must be declared national monument' `Mukthambal Chathiram deserves to be declared a monument'

G. Srinivasan

Built by Maratta King Serfoji II in 1800 in memory of his wife Built by Maratta King Serfoji II of Thanjavur in 1800 in memory of his wife

THANJAVUR: The Archaeological Survey of India is examining the possibility of declaring Mukthambal Chathiram, constructed by Maratta King Serfoji II at Orathanadu in Thanjavur district, a national monument.

T. Satyamurthy, superintending archaeologist, Chennai circle, inspected the chathiram on Tuesday. "The building deserves to be declared a national monument and protected," he told The Hindu. "The building, with beautiful woodcarvings and brickwork, is unique for its art and architecture. It provided boarding and lodging for pilgrims belonging to different religions."

Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, senior prince of Thanjavur and convener of the Thanjavur chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, said the chathiram was named after the wife of Serfoji II. Mukthambal was an affectionate wife.

When she was pregnant, she realised the sufferings that women had to undergo during pregnancy. So she asked her husband to create an endowment for poor women, which would provide them healthy food and good care. She passed away a few days later.

In her memory, Serfoji II constructed an excellent edifice in his garden in 1800 and named it after her.

The Thanjavur Palace records on chathiram administration say that 800 brahmins received clothes, medicines and oil to take bath.

Around 350 persons were served food every day.

The chathiram also had a school attached to it.

Students were taught different languages: 298 studied Tamil, 63 Telugu, 60 English, 36 Persian and 34 Marathi.

It had a teacher to conduct classes on the Vedas.

A doctor was also in the Chathiram to treat different ailments including swellings and reptile bites.

Tamil hospitality

"A system of endowing public choultries [chathirams] for the benefit of travellers and pilgrims was introduced by kings and private citizens in the ancient Tamil country. The term `chathiram' means a hall or a public place. Chathirams built by Maratta kings who ruled Thanjavur provided tender care and comfort to pilgrims who travelled to sacred places as an act of religious faith," Mr. Bhonsle said.

According to a letter written by Serfoji II to a British resident, every year 40,000 pilgrims from Benares, Delhi, Aurangabad, and Pune visited Thanjavur and Rameswaram.

Chathirams were built for their accommodation.

Twenty chathirams

More than 20 such chathirams are located in Thanjavur region.

Some of them are Rajkumarambhabhai chathiram, Mohanambal chathiram, Ahalyabai chathiram, Thillaisthanam chathiram, Lakshmirajapuram chathiram and Kabisthalam chathiram.

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