The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Innovative and modern technology used in Vishnu temple restoration work

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Tamil Nadu

Innovative and modern technology used in Vishnu temple restoration work

K. Subramanian

Mahasamprokshanam of Parimala Ranganathar Temple is on April 9

Photo: M. Srinath

SPIC-AND-SPAN: The pillars of Parimala Ranganathar Temple were polished for the mahasamprokshanam at Thiruvindalur near Mayiladuturai. —

MAYILADUTURAI: Innovative and modern technology has been employed for cleaning and restoring granite sculptures, pillars and roof in the prakara mandapams without damaging the original structures in the famous Lord Parimala Ranganathar temple, one of the108 Vaishnava Divyadesams (abodes of Lord Vishnu) situated on the northern side of the Cauvery at Thiruvindalur in Mayiladuthurai in Nagapattinam district. The ancient temple has been renovated at a huge cost and the Mahasamprokshanam of the temple will be performed on April 9.

G. Mohanakrishnan, managing director of Chennai-based Industrial and Power Solutions, and his family members who are the hereditary Thanathu Pillai of the temple, took special efforts for the renovation.

They cleaned the granite sculptures, pillars and roofs in the prakara mandapam with high pressure hydrojet and gave protective coating to all the structures and roof.

Mr. Mohanakrishnan told The Hindu on Wednesday that water proofing with imported materials was given to the structures and all concrete walls were cleaned to the base and a special ‘elastomer’ was made.

The temple was given a facelift and preserved from atmospheric pollutants and other damages normally occurring to the granite and the concrete. He pointed out that the restoration would last for two decades and all the works were carried out with the permission of the HR and CE department.

The temple is considered to be one of the Pancharangams, the other four being Srirangapatnam (Karnataka), Srirangam, Koyiladi (Anbil) and Kumbakonam, situated along the course of the Cauvery.

The Moolavar shrine is known as Parimala Ranganathar, also known as Maruviniya Maindan, an imposing 12 feet long image made of green stone in a reclining posture facing east.

The Taayaar (consort) here is Parimala Ranganayaki or Chandrasaapa Vimochanavalli or Pudareekavalli. Images of Cauvery and Ganga are seen seated in the sanctum as is an image of Santhanagopalakrishnan.

Lord Brahma is depicted on the wall.

There are also shrines to Yoga Narasimhar, Lord Rama, Anjaneya, Surya and Chandra in the temple.

This temple with three prakarams has a five-tier, east-facing Rajagopuram. The Dwajasthamba Mandapam and the Garuda Mandapam have beautifully sculpted pillars. The Garuda Mandapam bears images of 10 avatars.

Prosperity

It is believed that offering worship to Santhanagopalan in the sanctum will bring all prosperity.

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