Trichy :
Renovation work at the Srirangam temple seems to have become an excavation of treasures. While clearing sand from the Venugopalaswamy temple, workers have found elaborate stone sculptures. And HR&CE department has decided that the Srirangam temple premises will be excavated thoroughly and sand will be removed.
Three days ago, the temple authorities found that the Venugopalaswamy temple had been buried in the sand. They are now proceeding with great caution as several sculptures have been found. A few days back, the 100-pillared mandapam was freed of sand deposits and workers found that more than half of the hall had been buried in the sand. HR&CE officials now believe there must be more such mandapams within the temple premises and have decided to excavate them all.
The Venugopalaswamy temple is located in front of the Andal temple situated at the entrance of the Ranganathaswamy temple premises. Several sculptures of deities in various positions have been found during the excavation.
Inspecting the renovation works, the Hindu Charitable and Endowments Commissioner P Dhanapal said that the excavation that is being carried out as part of the renovation has led to several findings. He added that the cleaning works will be carried out in a thorough and phased manner. The painting work of the gopurams has also begun for which artists from various parts of the state have been brought in. The painters will first clean and wash the idols before painting the idols.
“The priests in the temple are helping in carrying out the renovation activities and the public are also coordinating well. The renovation works are expected to be finished by the middle of next year and Kumbhishekam will be held as planned,” said P Dhanapal.
Totally, 243 works are being carried out across the temple premises. Much of the work is on 14 gopurams of the temple. Cleaning and washing has begun on the gopurams and will continue for another six to eight months.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Trichy / Harish Murali, TNN / September 26th, 2014