Tamil Nadu   

Thirumayam fort gets a facelift

M. Balaganessin

A NEW LOOK: The Tirumayam fort near Pudukottai which has been renovated by the Archaeological Survey of India. — Photo: M. Moorthy

PUDUKOTTAI: The historic fort at Thirumayam near here has been given a facelift, courtesy the second phase of renovation by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Temples in the fort dedicated to Sri Sathyamurthy-Sri Uyyavanda Nachiar (Vaishnavite) and Sri Sathyagireeswarar-Sri Venuvaneeswari (Saivite) are wonderful rock-cut architecture and were consecrated after the ASI completed its earlier phase of renovation.

In the current phase, the three-tier merlons — at the top, middle and base of the fort — have been renovated.

Tough task

Clearing of vegetation at several places on the fort posed a challenge, especially in retaining the original form of the architecture. "We carefully weeded out the vegetation and restored the fort's original structure," says the Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Chennai, Sathyabama Badrinath.

Vegetations including species with stronger roots such as banyan were destroyed using a tree-killer, a non-chemical substance. It was injected into each and each and every plant, which were given a few days to wither away. In certain deep-rooted varieties such as the banyan tree or `poovarasu', it was injected meticulously ensuring their total uprooting.

This was followed by the strengthening work, involving a series of reinforcing processes — crouting, pointing and brickwork and plastering.

Details were worked out for the renovation of the merlons. They were strengthened using lime, terminlia chevula (`kadukkai') and palm sugar (`panai vellam').

Chain-link

To protect the `pushkarani' at the fort, the ASI has set up a chain-link, which would prevent straying of cattle, Ms. Sathyabama said. She said the ASI would take up the third phase of renovation in course of time.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Penang seeks direct flights from Chennai
Thirumayam fort gets a facelift
High Court directs Transport Commissioner not to fill vacancies
Brisk movement of samba paddy from Nagapattinam district
Liquor consumption goes up in State
BJP wants new alignment for Sethu project
Jayalalithaa alleges undeclared bus fare hike
SEC moots `Maharashtra model' for local body polls
Bus fares have not increased, says Minister
Procured from farmers
Braving the heat
Officers in districts to help women in distress
"Frivolous litigation" result of ill advice
Government keen on executing Hogenekkal water supply scheme
Briefly

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu