CHENNAI: The Hindu religious and charitable endowments department is all set to empanel reputed architect firms to provide technical and professional assistance in its efforts to conserve and restore ancient temples and create amenities such as amphitheatres for pilgrims in many temples.
The department is taking up renovation and restoration works (Thirupani) in more than 150 temples across the state at a cost of ?100 crore. Prior to that, the department will empanel architect firms for creating master plans and road map for carrying out the works. Interested firms can apply for empanelment.
“We have planned to rope in professional consultants to map the temples and prepare a master plan to restore them without compromising on agamas, heritage and aesthetic beauty of temples,” commissioner of HR & CE J Kumaragurubaran told TOI. The empanelled firms would assist the department for about two years.
The architect firms’ expertise in related fields such as conservation of monuments, heritage structures and culture will have to be paired with the local understanding of cultures and people, said the official citing the scope of work. The empanelment would be done by August end, he said.
The department would effectively use the services of the empanelled firms in conceptualisation, preparing master plans, architectural designing and estimates of different projects. The firms would not only be involved in designing a comprehensive plan on conservation strategies by using innovative technologies but would also be tasked with contemplating projects to develop temple complexes to cater to the needs of pilgrims. Facilities such as amphitheatre and sound and light show would be created in famous temples.
Besides this, the department is planning to come up with standard operating procedures (SOPs) in carrying out Thirupani in temples. There are no SOPs as of now. The absence of an apt procedure has resulted in ruining aesthetic and heritage characteristics of several temples in the state, said another official and recounted how work was improperly carried out in a 7th century temple in Thiruvotriyur a couple of years ago. Granite slabs with inscriptions were damaged while taking up conservation works in the temple. “All efforts will be taken to protect the originality of all temples,” said the official.
