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| Ancient Thirunelli temple,Kerala indiatimes.com |
Thirunelli temple of Waynad, Kerala near the Karnataka border is believed to be more than a thousand years old and finds reference in several Puranas, Thirunelli of Waynad, Dedicated to God Mahavishnu, it is not a part of 108 Divyadesam shrines, as, I believe, the presiding deity is not glorified by the Vaishnava Tamil Saints Azhwars. However, it is believed to be among the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams in the Vaishnavite tradition.
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| Historical structure Thirunelli temple mathrubhumi.com |
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| restoration work Thirunelli temple,.newindianexpress.com |
This ancient temple, upon protests and objections over its poor upkeep and expressions of concerns about saving the historical and architectural heritage finally underwent major renovation work in 2022. The renovation was done by the Tourism Department. The renovation, estimated at roughly Rs.10 crore, included the Sree Kovil (Sanctum), and a granite pavement leading to the Papanashini River.
This project faced serious criticism for overlooking temple's unique historical features, particularly the Vilakkumadom structure, a 600-year-old granite structure. It obviously caused concern about the loss of historically valuable precincts of an ancient temple. It shows total carelessness and negligence on the part of the officers of the tourism department
Objections were raised leading to the Court intervention over the unwanted demolition and reconstruction of the chuttambalam, around the sanctum. The Court heard that the sanctum was demolished 10 years ago. Now they were reconstructing the chuttambalam and balikkalpura (oblation stone structure). Archaeology department said it was not consulted prior to repair works and clarified that ''their objective is a scientific restoration of historic structures, not reconstruction''.
The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Chipped in and urged the government to safeguard and conserve the historically significant structures, including the 600-year-old ‘Vilakkumadom’and fine granite structure, at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple and other features. The vilakkumadam is an outer wall surrounding the chuttambalam, where lamps are fitted. This structure remained unfinished due to misunderstanding between the rulers of Coorg and Kottayam.
The Thirunelly temple has an unfinished vilakkumadam of historical significance and an aqueduct that brought water from the mountains that surround it. Unfortunately, the former was partially dismantled. INTACH's concern was right. This unscientific restoration without consulting the Archaeology department shows official negligence on the part of the Tourism Department. Before any restoration work of any ancient place, it is imperative to survey the heritage features and take decision accordingly in the initial stages. unrestored.
