The oft-used phrase “rising like a phoenix from the ashes” finds its perfect expression in the story of the Abathsahayeswarar Temple at Thukkachi, near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district. This 12th-century shrine, a remarkable testament to the architectural brilliance of the later Cholas, presented a pitiable sight barely five years ago.Its outer prakara wall had collapsed, the towering entrance gopuram had partially collapsed and was engulfed by vegetation, and decades of neglect had reduced the monument to a state of dereliction. The Kali shrine and its mahamandapam within the temple complex was crumbling and was declared out of bounds because of the danger posed by falling granite blocks.
A view of 12th century Abathsahayeswarar Temple at Thukkachi near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur district in December 2021
| Photo Credit:
M. Srinath
Anyone who had seen the temple in that condition would scarcely believe their eyes on visiting it today. A painstaking conservation effort, combining cutting-edge technology with traditional building knowledge and generous public philanthropy, has restored the monument to its former glory. Today, the temple appears as though it had been built only yesterday. In recognition of this exemplary conservation effort, UNESCO conferred on it the Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction (2024) for preserving its heritage while restoring its structural integrity.“The entire project was funded by Coimbatore-based philanthropist T. Vasanthakumar of Karpagam University (deemed university) at a cost of ₹5 crore. Technical support was provided by IIT Madras,” said T. Umadevi, Deputy Commissioner of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department.The transformation is all the more remarkable considering the years of apathy and indifference that allowed one of the most significant monuments of the later Chola period—closely associated with Kulotunga I and Vikrama Chola—to deteriorate so badly.
