Rameswaram’s heritage temple gets a facelift

30-1435640278-tamil-naduChennai, June 30: The revered Rameshwaram temple is likely to get a renovation with the sponsorship of religious organizations and businessmen. For instance, the two rajagopurams (big towers) will be constructed on the northern and southern end of the temple with donations from Sringeri Sankaracharya and a Coimbatore-based businessman. The inner precincts of the temple too are being renovated for the benefit of the devotees. LOcated in the eastern coast of Tamil Nadu, the seaside temple is considered the Kashi of south, drawing devotees from across the country. The authorities jumped into action after complaints that sewage water was entering the 22 temple wells that are scattered inside.

An official from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department said,”Two temple towers with five tiers each are being constructed on the north and south side of the shore temple at a cost of 1.80 crore and 1.96 crore. The Devi shrine has also been renovated at a cost of 92 lakh.” The eastern tower facing the sea and a large corridor will also be refurbished. The official said,”All the renovation work was undertaken with religious sanctity and we are also preserving the heritage aspects of the temple.”

“The Sringeri Shankara Mutt has undertaken construction of the northern side tower and the work will be completed within two months. The southern side tower is being constructed by Vasanthkumar, a businessman from Coimbatore. The consecration of the renovated temple will be held for all the four temple towers for the first time,”said A Narayanan of Sringeri Mutt. The temple authorities are said to have chalked out many more reformation plans including rain water harvesting facilities, plantation of trees.

Source: oneindia.com