How A 1000-Year Old 'Sinking' Temple Was Lifted 6-ft Off Ground

In an architectural and technological marvel, the famous Mankombu Sree Bhagavathy Temple, which is nearly 1,000 years old, situated at Kuttanad in Alappuzha district of Kerala was raised some six feet off the ground using screw jacks without affecting the temple's antiquity or without demolition of any part of the complex.

The whole process would cost around Rs 3.5 crore, according to the temple management committee which is carrying out the daunting task with the help of a Kochi-based private engineering company and the locals, after securing approval of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

The mechanical lifting of the temple complex was necessitated as it used to get inundated during heavy rains or flood. Water enters the temple several times a year and sometimes the water stagnates in the temple for months.

The temple saw the worst scenario after the massive floods in 2018 when water gushed up to Devi's idol. The temple compound remained waterlogged for almost a year, causing massive inconvenience to the devotees.

Now, a new foundation will be built from the base after lifting the temple using around 400 jacks with a capacity of 8 tonne each. After constructing the foundation on the piling, the raised girder will be fixed to it. Then reconstruction work will be done at its 'Krishnashila'.

The construction work is done in three phases. The enclosure, 'Sri Kovil' (sanctum sanctorum) and 'Namaskaramandapam' will be raised in the first phase. In the second phase of the renovation, the patio and the decorations are done. The rest will be upgraded in the third phase.

They are building 18 piles and beams to rest the Sri Kovil on it. Each pile would be drilled 27-metre deep and the entire structure will sustain any natural calamity. The committee is also planning to raise other buildings on the premises, including the Gopuram, Anakottil, Seva pandal and Kalithottil, later to prevent waterlogging.

The temple is one of the rare temples in Kerala that has 8 'aarats' during the day. The rituals of this temple are also famous. Very old rituals like 'Chut Padayani' and 'Garuda weighing' are still performed here.