ASI takes up work to replace eroded brick ooring in Big Temple complex
The work, taken up at a cost of ₹40 lakh, is being executed with utmost care and without aecting the heritage character of the protected monument, ocials say and add that the work has been completed on one portion
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has taken up repair works of the oor outside the main shrine of the Brihadeeswarar Temple (Big Temple) complex in Thanjavur.
Over the years, the oor, made of bricks, on the prakara around the shrine had been eroded or damaged at several places, especially on the rear side of the temple tower. Besides, water stagnation was also visible at some places, necessitating repairs.
“The oor had turned uneven at some places. This posed diculties to devotees and tourists while walking around the shrine. Hence, it was decided to
Eroded bricks at the Big Temple complex are being removed from the damaged portions and replaced with new ones using lime mortar.
repair these portions in front of the Karuvurar Sannidhi with an allotment of ₹40 lakh made in 2022-23 nancial year,” A. Anil Kumar, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Tiruchi Circle, told The Hindu.
The bricks are being removed
from the eroded/ damaged portions and replaced with new ones using lime mortar. The work commenced in January with District Collector Deepak Jacob inspecting it along with Mr. Anil Kumar and other ocials.
“We have already completed the work on one portion. The work is underway currently in another area. We need to do repairs in a couple of other portions too,” Mr. Anil Kumar told The Hindu.
Meanwhile, the removal of the bricks using chisels and hammers drew some negative comments in social media, with a few persons expressing apprehensions that it could aect the heritage structure. “Video clips showing the repair work was widely shared in the social media platforms leading to apprehensions,” observed V. Jeevakumar. president, Big Temple Worshippers Committee.
ASI ocials clari ed that the repairs were being carried out with utmost care and without aecting the antique character of the world heritage monument, declared as one of the three Great Living Chola temples by the UNESCO.
“Ever since the ASI took over the maintenance of the Big Temple in 1922, various maintenance works have been carried out periodically. This included conservation of the murals, copying and documentation of inscriptions and other maintenance works. Similar works to repair the damaged brick
oor was taken up in 2018 in some parts of the temple complex,” the ocials said. Eorts were on to take up conservation works on the rampart around the temple, they added.