One of Tamil Nadu’s best known ancient temples is seeing a revamp that may not go down well with conservationists. The sanctum sanctorum of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Madurai is being air-conditioned at a cost of Rs 30 lakh to provide a cooler environment to priests and devotees. In the process, however, frescoes and carvings on the walls and ceiling of the 1,500-year-old structure are being blocked.The edifice has many natural vents which act as a natural cooling system. But with trees disappearing from the surroundings of the temple and concrete structures taking their place, the temple environs have become stuffy and according to the priests, it is difficult to stay inside for more than an hour. ‘‘The air inside becomes hot and we develop headaches,’’ said a priest.
A donor has now come forward to air-condition the sanctums of goddess Sri Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. Huge steel pipes will bring in cooled air from two 18-tonne air conditioners and vents would circulate the air in the area where devotees gather for darshan.
Sundaram (82) of North Veli street in Madurai, who has been frequenting the temple right from his childhood, said, ‘‘Earlier entering the temple after walking in the hot sun was very relieving since the interior was cool. But over the past 10 to 15 years, I have noticed that it becomes extremely hot inside the sanctum sanctorum, primarily because of the large crowds that visit the temple. The proposal for the air-conditioning is a welcome move.’’
Temple sources said high-rise buildings and traffic pollution had contributed to the heat inside the temple. Speaking to TOI, joint commissioner of Sri Meenakshi temple K Rajanayagam said the AC work would be completed in a few weeks.
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