Tamil Nadu: Chola Era Apatsahayeswarar Temple In Kumbakonam District Being Restored

The ruined Apatsahayeswarar Temple in Tukkachchi of Kumbakonam district is being restored due to the joint efforts of a Coimbatore based donor, IIT Madras and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HRCE). The temple was constructed by Rajendra Chola I and extended by both Kulottunga Chola and Vikrama Chola.

According to a report in The Hindu, which quoted sources in the HRCE department, 70 per cent of the project is completed and the Kumbhabhishekam is expected early next year.

HRCE Minister P Sekar Babu had announced in the Assembly that the restoration work is being done at a cost of Rs 5.5 crore.

The restoration work of the temple is being carried out based on a report by the National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures (NCSHS), Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras. It is divided into three parts. Dismantling and reconstruction work would be carried out in areas with major structural damage. In other areas, strengthening and surface-level repairs would be carried out.