Sad Condition of South Indian Temples

[skganji]

Originally Posted by Indian Forever

I do feel it is a matter of time before restoration work begins they have made some effort in Delhi.

Delhi is getting all the attention as the common wealth games are coming up in 2010. I don't think ASI and the state governments are doing a job in restoring these temples. ASI has mentioned that funds are available and work will be one on the Pangal temples and they dismantled the temple and numbered all the stones and don't know they are not assembling it again.

[Fusionist]

Originally Posted by Marathaman

So....you suggest that we should stop classifying things and...erm....then what?

I understand that the British put their own (harmful) interpretation on things from a Christian POV, but that doesn't mean that we have to continue to do the same.

You know, classification is nothing but a method of assigning relative importance, because we as humans have limited time on our hands.

You can be a romantic here and bravely assert that your local Ayyanar temple is as important and significant the Meenakshi Temple at Madurai, but I'm sorry I don't agree, and neither did those who built Meenakshi. If they had, they would have probably made it as tiny or as large as the Ayyanar temple. Do you get my point?

Obviously Meenakshi temple got patronage from the king ( who would have been a staunch devotee of Devi ), who would have invested more in a Meenakshi temple rather than in anything else. But it is genuinely reflective of all communites of that time or region ? Different temples catered to different communities, so they were equally popular amongst the various sections of people I guess.

If you look at present day TN temples like Palani, Thirupathi are more popular with the masses than Meenakshi or Tanjore temple even though thre later two are bigger. Why do you think so ? When festivals like Thai Poosam were prominent Palani would have been even more prominent !

The popularity of some temples went down during Colonialism and others rose during/after it. Some temples regained thier popularity after Coloonialism, thanks to the communites who worshipped them, but not necessarily all, some bit the dust. Aiyanar temples certainly lost a lot of significance as a result of cultural cleansing during Colonialism. Before that, even though they were not as grand as Meenakshi temple were places of significance and the people who worshipped them took to them with utmost devotion. So, yes they were popular !

[Marathaman]

Sri Vyagrapureeswarar Temple., Puliparkoil
http://www.flickr.com/photos/srirama...l-templesindia

[skganji]

There are atleast 50 GO's issued by A.P government to repair churches and Mosques . However, not a single GO is to be seen related to temple repairs. This clearly shows the dubious nature of the government of A.P. They are interested in vote bank politics and Hindus have to take their own steps to repair these dilipated temples. All the money collected in the temples are used for the beneficiary of minorities. It is a wonder that no Hindus are protesting the actions of the government. All the money collected in Hindu temples should be exclusively used for the maintenance and upliftment of Hindu temples .

[Marathaman]

Vadharaja Perumal temple, Tirunelveli

[Arasu]

Originally Posted by skganji

There are atleast 50 GO's issued by A.P government to repair churches and Mosques . However, not a single GO is to be seen related to temple repairs. This clearly shows the dubious nature of the government of A.P. They are interested in vote bank politics and Hindus have to take their own steps to repair these dilipated temples. All the money collected in the temples are used for the beneficiary of minorities. It is a wonder that no Hindus are protesting the actions of the government. All the money collected in Hindu temples should be exclusively used for the maintenance and upliftment of Hindu temples .

Makes sense. Why should they rob Rao to pay Robert?

[Marathaman]

Restoration of Uthiramerur temple with the help of IIT Chennai:

[Fusionist]

The Gangaikondacholapuram temple restoration model should ber considered as the ideal model for temple restoration in all other temples..

[IMG]http://i34.************/2isyyix.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i38.************/nmc3yh.jpg[/IMG]

[Fusionist]

another possitive example of good restoration work is Ayravatheswarar temple in Darasuram ( formerly Rajarajapuram ).

[bains1971]

Great updates.

[Marathaman]

Another crumbling temple. This one is at Thiruppattur near Thiruchipalli.

image hosted on flickr

Source

[Marathaman]

Originally Posted by Fusionist

The Gangaikondacholapuram temple restoration model should ber considered as the ideal model for temple restoration in all other temples..

Why does ASI make everything pink? They coat the monuments with some pinkish plaster is it?

[pdykid]

Guys,

Just want to share something, not sure whether it’s appropriate to this thread.

For some times ago I have visited this temple called Thiru Arangam or Adhi Thiruvarangam (not Srirangam near Trichy) , saw an unusual (at least for me) spectacular and mystery Kopuram.

It as was inside the temple compound, but inside nothing, just brick and wood. For me the dome was astonishing, it was in ruined state but it still holding itself.
I don’t know the purpose of this Kopuram?

I could not ask the priest more about that this particular kopuram but he did told about the temple history.
There was huge Lord ranganathar, bigger than the Lord at Srirangam and made of sand and mooligai ( wonder herbs)
He told it was built before srirangam temple.

For info: Goggled about it and found this blog about the temple
http://prtraveller.blogspot.com/2009...uvarangam.html






inside


Temple

[Marathaman]

^Hi

Thanks for sharing. Its perfect for this thread.

[Jai]

WRT to the discussion about painting the gopuram, Srirangam before its recent renovation had plain whitewashed gopurams. Whether or not this was due to lack of funds or lack of the conservation ethic, it's multi-colored repainting was only a recent addition. I'm not sure if the temple was painted in historical times, though

Originally Posted by Fusionist

Srirangam..layered gopuram

[Arul Murugan]

Originally Posted by Jai

WRT to the discussion about painting the gopuram, Srirangam before its recent renovation had plain whitewashed gopurams. Whether or not this was due to lack of funds or lack of the conservation ethic, it's multi-colored repainting was only a recent addition. I'm not sure if the temple was painted in historical times, though

Yes painting in multi-color is recent works to differentiate the different arts/statues in the gopuram. Even Meenakshi gopuram was not colored one in early 1900's.

[Marathaman]

Seems like the pillars/base is usually stone, whereas the upper tiers are made of brick.

[Marathaman]

A recently restored temple at Virinchipuram.

Before:
image hosted on flickr


After:

[India101]

Some temples look better without all the colors.

[Marathaman]

^They like to use modern oil paints with no concern for the original decoration.