130fthigh temple near Sangam getting a makeover for Kumbh
PRAYAGRAJ:Shankar Viman Mandapam, one of the tallest temples of Prayagraj situated near the Sangam, is being given a makeover for Kumbh Mela-2019.
The 130-feet high temple has four floors and is built in South Indian style of architecture.
According to temple authorities, craftsmen and artists have arrived from South India for renovation work and giving a new sheen to the paintings on the walls of the temple.
Shankar Viman Mandapam is surrounded by Shri Ramanandacharya Mutt, Laxminarayan temple and Radha Krishna Gopal temple. Built by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peeth, it is probably the only temple in Prayagraj which is built in South Indian style of architecture.
According to temple authorities, the walls are being coated with fresh paint after almost a period of 13 years.
“Artists from South India have come to restore paintings on the temple walls by applying 12 different types of colours,” said R Murugan, a temple employee.
Santosh Kumar Tewari, 45, a ghaatiya purohit in Sangam area, said: “The temple is considered to be a landmark here. A large number of pilgrims and devotees from South India visit the temple even during normal days.”
“If efforts are being made to restore the temple, it will attract a large number of pilgrims and tourists during Kumbh,” he added.
The temple has the idols of Kumaril Bhatt, Jagatguru Adi Shankaracharya, Kamakshi Devi (with 51 Shakti Peeths), Tirupati Balaji (with 108 Vishnus around) and Yogsahastra Sahastrayoga Ling (with 108 Shivlings around).
The temple has four storeys which stand on 16 pillars making the height of the temple 130 feet. The first floor of the temple has an idol of Goddess Durga.
The construction of the temple started in 1970 but could only be completed in 1986. The inside walls of the temple have paintings depicting various episodes of the Ramayana.