Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple to get facelift

Chennai, Jan 29 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Minister K R Periakaruppan today informed the State Assembly that the government would give a facelift to the famous Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple by preserving its originality.

Replying to a question raised by N Nanmaran (CPI-M) during Question Hour, Mr Periakaruppan said the government had earmarked Rs five crore for carrying out the renovation work to prevent cracks in certain places in the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple to preserve its arts and sculptures.

All major and minor renovation work would be completed within six months, he added.

He said all cracks in the roofs would be removed and they would be replaced by specially prepared new stone roofs acquired from Bangalore.

He said the government was also working out a proposal to fill water, which would remain permanently in the famous 'Golden Lotus tank' inside the temple premises.

The government had formed a nine-member team of engineers, which would prepare a format to utilise the rain water for filling the tanks in and around the temple.

He explained that at present even if the water was poured into the tank it was getting sucked by the pipes, which were laid underground.

When Mr Nanmaran raised the issue of water logging in certain areas of the temple premises especially during rainy season, the Minister said the renovation work also includes stopping of water logging inside the temple area.

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