Now Reading: ASI to conserve fading 16th-century Nayaka murals at Dharmapuri temple
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ASI to conserve fading 16th-century Nayaka murals at Dharmapuri temple
The Archaeological Survey of India has sent a proposal to conserve fading 16th-century Nayaka-style murals at the Chennraya Perumal temple in Adhiyamankottai, Dharmapuri. History enthusiasts and experts told New Indian Express that…
The Story in Brief
The Archaeological Survey of India has sent a proposal to conserve fading 16th-century Nayaka-style murals at the Chennraya Perumal temple in Adhiyamankottai, Dharmapuri. History enthusiasts and experts told New Indian Express that nearly 50% of the roof paintings, which depict scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, have been lost due to water seepage, smoke from rituals, and heavy lighting.
The temple, originally built by the Nolamba king Mahendra between the 8th and 11th centuries, features unique plant-based pigments and lime mortar. Experts urge softer lighting, lime mortar renovations, and restricted visitor movement to save what remains. ASI officials were unavailable for comment.
The Indian Opinion
The story is not merely about faded paint; it is about ASI's chronic underfunding and slow action on heritage. Blaming temple weddings or smoke misses the core issue: systematic neglect. The real test will be whether ASI implements the proposed conservation plan in 2026, before the remaining 50% of these unique Nayaka murals vanish.
Source: newindianexpress.com
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