Sad Condition of South Indian Temples

[Marathaman]

Many South Indian temples are suffering form lack of proper maintenance, the use of cheap building materials that damage the structure and clash with the original architecture, construction of new buildings within the complex which are completely at odds with the original design etc. etc.

Here are some examples:
Tin roof spoils the view:
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Some strange addition above the roof - and use of lime to paint it.
image hosted on flickr


Am in a hurry - will post more later.

[Marathaman]

Ugly cement structure jutting out of the main gopuram of Padmanabha Swamy, Trivandrum

image hosted on flickr

[Marathaman]

Use of white paint on the pillars:

image hosted on flickr

[OtAkAw]

Same problems with heritage sites especially Catholic churches here in the Philippines. Using incompatible paint, placing nondescript additions to the existing structure. etc.

[Marathaman]

Originally Posted by OtAkAw

Same problems with heritage sites especially Catholic churches here in the Philippines. Using incompatible paint, placing nondescript additions to the existing structure. etc.

One can understand that to some extent because the architecture is perhaps not native to the Phillippines.

However, it seems that we are unable to find experts who can preserve and maintain our own architecture.

[Marathaman]

Chidambaram - Dangling wires, some ugly concrete addition, tubelights jutting out everywhere - sigh.

image hosted on flickr

[Marathaman]

kapaleeshwarar - iron fences and tin sheds

image hosted on flickr
image hosted on flickr

[nirm]

Another distressing sight is the ubiquitous red/white stripes painted over cement/lime plastered walls. The paint and plaster need to be removed and the original stone face restored.

[Fusionist]

good idea for a thread, there is a plenty to discuss here !

[Marathaman]

Originally Posted by nirm

Another distressing sight is the ubiquitous red/white stripes painted over cement/lime plastered walls. The paint and plaster need to be removed and the original stone face restored.

Those red-and-white stripes are like a cancer - they're everywhere - on the walls, the steps, the tanks - someone has got to atleast restrict them to the outmost walls and specify their dimensions.

image hosted on flickr

[Marathaman]

Kanchipuram - red-and-white markings on the steps, dirty water in the tank, cheap white paint everywhere else.

image hosted on flickr

[Marathaman]

For contrast, take a look at this Balinese Hindu temple. Everything is authentic and harmonious, even the landscaping:

[Marathaman]

Tin roof on some temple in Kollam...

image hosted on flickr

[Marathaman]

Vaitheeswaran - concrete structure

image hosted on flickr

[sakrishna]

Nice thread Marathaman. And nice to c u back in action.

It's really pity that no one is taking any measures against this.
What makes it even more deplorable is that even famous temples are not free from such horrendous acts.
I think this happens mostly in the case of temples controlled by Govt., correct me if I'm wrong.

[Marathaman]

Originally Posted by sakrishna

Nice thread Marathaman. And nice to c u back in action.

It's really pity that no one is taking any measures against this.
What makes it even more deplorable is that even famous temples are not free from such horrendous acts.
I think this happens mostly in the case of temples controlled by Govt., correct me if I'm wrong.

I think you're right, most of these are run by the government. IMO they tend to treat them like any other public building without any special provisions for their heritage value (atleast it seems that way).
They keep making modifications to it like any other cheap government building.

[Mahratta]

You can't escape from those god-awful stripes

[p2p4]

Originally Posted by Mahratta

You can't escape from those god-awful stripes

Mahratta - thanks for creating this thread. This is not the case only with South Indian temples. IN Maharashtra state, we have the same cancer of some pea-brained-fucks who want to paint damaging chemical based colors on stone carvings. Bangalore Tile (red) roofs are giving way to concrete slabs. IF not concrete then it's the tin roofs. Complete aesthetics are thrown down the gutters.

There are so many archeological marvels in Maharashtra too. The hill and sea forts - thanks to the Archeological Survey of India are nothing but rotting away to the elements. Temples have no guidelines on how to maintain carvings of yester-decades and yester-centuries. Any temple committee gets elected, gives two hoots about preserving old architectural heritage. The temple of Rameshwar in Achra (near Malvan) is one prime case of how old techniques of building temples have given way to ugly, concrete but , non characteristic walls.

At least in the South (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) you guys have some PRIDE in carnatic culture. Not so north of Karnataka. Maharashtra is suffering from a complete changeover in temple buildings. Northern architecture is influencing new temple designs. Konkan coastal temples which had sloping roops are giving way to northern designs as well.

It's sad but there has never been a reassuring renaissance of temple design. ANd by renaissance I do not mean old to modern. I would be happy if we go back to old from 'modern' designs.

Enough said
p2p4

[Marathaman]

Hey. I created the thread, not him.

[Marathaman]

Originally Posted by p2p4

At least in the South (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka) you guys have some PRIDE in carnatic culture. Not so north of Karnataka. Maharashtra is suffering from a complete changeover in temple buildings. Northern architecture is influencing new temple designs. Konkan coastal temples which had sloping roops are giving way to northern designs as well.
Enough said
p2p4

I don't think that Maharashtra was ever restricted to one kind of design. Trimbakeshwar, one of the oldest temples is built in Nagara style.
Ellora cave temples are Dravidian style. Much older too.

The problem isn't the architecture of new temples, its the conservation of old ones.

Also, temples in Gujarat, Himachal and Rajasthan are still quite well conserved. Gujaratis are on a temple building spree actually. There seems to be a new temple popping up every other week, all proper stone ones with good quality craftsmanship too.