Tamil Nadu   

Madurai to have yet another tourist attraction

S. Annamalai

Pudu Mandapam, built by Tirumalai Nayak, will get new lease of life

MADURAI: This monument, an artistic marvel created by King Tirumalai Nayak, has remained half hidden from the public eye for long.

In the past few decades, it has served as a commercial complex housing tailoring units, books stores and shops selling steel and brass vessels. The core area is the home of bats and other nocturnal birds. Pudu Mandapam is all set to have a facelift and regain its glory as a major attraction for tourists.

The mandapam is located on the eastern side of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, sandwiched between East Chithirai and East Masi Streets. It has 50 ornate sculptures that have been in a state of neglect for long. They include a beautifully carved Sankara Narayanan, Tatatakai (mother of Meenakshi), Gaja Samharar, Brahma, Kalyanasundarar and galloping horses and yalis. Seven of the 64 `tiruvilayadal' (divine sport) of Lord Sundareswarar are depicted in stone. It also has portrait figures of the Nayak rulers till Tirumalai Nayak. It is 333 feet in length, 105 feet in width and 25 feet in height. One hundred and twenty-four immaculately sculpted pillars add to the grandeur of the place by standing on four rows. At the western end is a granite stage, used for cultural performances during temple festivals since the late 17th century. An interesting belief associated with the mandapam, which is also referred to as `Vasantha Mandapam,' is that Tamil poet Paranjothi Munivar was inspired to write `Tiruvilayadal Puranam' here, while it was under construction.

The Tourism Department has embarked on a plan to breathe new life into this monument, starting with the shifting of 160 shops to the nearby Kunnathur Chatram.

According to Tourism Secretary V. Irai Anbu, the Archaeological Survey of India will be involved in the exercise. After the structure was renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 2.4 crore, the department, together with the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, will organise cultural events daily.

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