The Hindu : Front Page : Committee inspects Thousand Pillar Hall

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Saturday, Aug 04, 2007
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Committee inspects Thousand Pillar Hall

Flooring work, at a cost of about Rs. 45 lakh, to begin in a month

Tenders to be called for stone-paving
Expert opinion being sought on renovation

MADURAI: A Technical Advisory Committee, set up for upgrading the Thousand Pillar Hall inside the Meenakshi Temple here into a world-class heritage museum, conducted its third visit on Friday.

The committee would suggest procedures to expedite the stone-paving of the hall, said its member S. Ravi, Dean, School of Architecture and Planning, Anna University, Chennai. “The floor will be laid at a cost of about Rs.45 lakh. Work will start within a month. Tenders will be called for soon and the ASI will supervise the work.”

The committee would also inspect the “impressive and unique collection” of paintings, stone and wooden sculptures and brass items depicting temple rituals, hitherto not kept for public view. It would also decide on how many of them could be displayed for public view.

A proposal would be made to document and digitise the historical, archaeological and architectural relics found in and around the district. They could also be exhibited in the museum. Recommendation for landscaping and upgrading the ambiencewould also be made. “A sum of Rs.1.55 crore has been sanctioned by the Tourism Department.” All proposals would be forwarded to the Commissioner of HR and CE department for approval.

B. Raja, Executive Officer of the temple, said expert opinion was being sought on the renovation.

“The Collector is reviewing the progress every month and has asked us to expedite the process. The funds will be routed through him,” said Mr. Raja, committee convener.

Other members who surveyed the hall included G. Madhusuden of HR and CE Department, L. Manivannan of Thiagarajar College and temple engineers J. Kesavan and S. Kumaran.

Sathyabama Badrinath, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, would categorise the exhibits, while member J.R. Asokan, Curator of Government Museum, Egmore, would review the lighting arrangements.

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