Fund delay trips temple works

Warangal: Eleven years have gone by since Kalyana Mandapam at historic Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Thousand Pillar Temple was pulled down for its restoration but works are yet to be completed.

Reconstruction works of the mandapam began on July 13, 2005 after Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) dismantled the structure early that year. Initially it has been planned to complete the restoration within two years with an expenditure of Rs 3 crore.

Tamil Nadu based sthapathi (sculptor) Shiva Kumar along with a crew of around 50 sculptors embarked on the stupendous task of reviving the structure to its past grandeur. Nonetheless, the works got delayed due to delay in the release of funds and ASI’s alleged negligence.

The Kalyana Mandapam located on south is one of the two major components of the temple which is actually called as ‘Trikutalayam’ with shrines of Rudreshwara Swamy, Surya Deva and Lord Vishnu. But the idols of Surya and Vishnu are now missing from the temple.

Monolithic black basalt stone sculpture of Nandi is a great attraction at the temple. Said to be built in 1163 AD by Kakatiya ruler Rudra Deva over a period of seven decades, the thousand-pillar temple situated in Hanamkonda epitomises Kakatiya architectural and sculptural wealth.

Domestic and foreign tourists visiting the shrine to witness such a spectacular structure are often dismayed at inordinate delay in restoring the mandapam. “When the structure will be restored- is the question I face often from tourists, but I have no answer,” temple chief priest G Upendra Sharma told The Hans India.

Like many earlier deadlines, the restoration works missed a deadline on December 20, 2014 for its completion. Then it was planned by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar to dedicate Kalyana Mandapam to the nation. The latest deadline that was missed was December 2015.

There has been a major gap of six months in the restoration works as sculptor Siva Kumar is said have stopped the works claiming clearance of dues worth Rs 2.5 crore from the ASI for the work he has done.

Following which a committee formed to resolve the issue has convinced the sculptor to recommence the works, said M Panduranga Rao, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage district convener and retired professor, who is coordinating the restoration works.
“So far Rs 6.8 crore has been spent on the works.

Currently, ASI sanctioned Rs one crore and Rs 20 lakh was already released to complete the pending works. The work began on Thursday. Hopefully the works will be completed by the end of this year.”

he added. Panduranga Rao further said, “In all, around 80 per cent works are completed. The task of fixing around 60 roof beams on top of the mandapam is taken up. It will be followed by laying the roof slabs, the central portion of which consists of intricately carved images of Gayatri and Chatur Mukhas.”

District Collector V Karuna who expressed displeasure over the delay in completing the restoration works said, she has asked the officials to expedite the works and finish at the earliest.

By:James Edwin