The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Facelift to Tirumayam fort apace

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Tuesday, Jan 01, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Facelift to Tirumayam fort apace

M. Balaganessin

Only conventional materials are being used for retaining the
original features
of the monument.

— PHOTO:M. BALAGANESSIN

Renovation work in progress at the Tirumayam Fort near Pudukottai.

PUDUKOTTAI: The facelift to the historical fort in Tirumayam, about 20 km from here on the Pudukottai–Karaikudi highway, is in progress with the third phase of renovation of the structure nearing completion.

It is expected to be over by January-end. Built by Vijaya Regunatha Thevar – the Sethupathy of Ramanathapuram — in 1687, the fort played an important role during the Tondaiman rule in Pudukottai. During World War II, it was used as an arsenal by the British Army.

The fort has entrances on the northern, southern and eastern sides. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which maintains it, is renovating the fort. The ASI is now working on the ‘Muniswaran mandapam’ at the south entrance.

The renovation broadly includes strengthening the stones on the walls of the mandapam and the ceiling; carrying out stucco works and restoring the wall on the eastern side, which has been battered by weather over the centuries.

The weakened binding materials on the stone blocks on the walls of the mandapam have been removed manually, followed by a water wash.

A paste of conventional materials such as lime, mortar, jaggery and gall-nut (‘kadukkai’ ) was used to strengthen the walls.

The ASI has taken meticulous care to retain the original structure of the merlons, which form the majestic mirror of the fort.

The original style and size of the merlons have been preserved wherever the old ones have got damaged. About 25 merlons have been renovated.

“Clearing of vegetation at several places on the walls of the mandapam posed a challenge. Vegetation, including species with stronger roots, mostly papal trees (‘arasa maram,’), was destroyed using ‘tuffelloo,’ a herbal substance. It was injected into the roots of the trees and the substance was allowed to wither away,” says, G. Bagavansarathy, Senior Conservation Assistant Tirumayam.

The ceiling of the mandapam is being strengthened by laying two layers of small-sized tiles, which would be completely plastered shortly.

Work on renovation of the stucco structures of Lord Anjaneya, Boothaganangal and Simha Vahanam has been completed.

The work was taken up at an expenditure of Rs.16.5 lakh. The fourth phase would be taken up next year, says Sathyabama Badrinath, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Chennai. She says the ASI ensured that only conventional materials were used, for retaining the ancient architectural heritage of the historical monument.

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