Plans afoot to build rajagopuram at ancient Bhagavathi Amman temple in Kanniyakumari

TN HR&CE Dept. studying feasibility of building 11-tier rajagopuram at Bhagavathi Amman temple in Kanniyakumari. Inscriptions from Vijayalaya Chola, Venad Kings & Travancore Kings found. Prasannam organised for construction over existing structure. IIT-M consulted for soil test & to decide if new foundation needed. Plan to construct 11-tier gopuram as per ahamams of temple architecture. Final decision pending.

T.N. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P.K. Sekarbabu on Wednesday, said his department was studying the feasibility of building a rajagopuram (royal gateway)at the ancient Bhagavathi Amman temple in Kanniyakumari.

Situated on the southern tip of the country, this 9th century temple is surrounded by the sea on three sides: the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Inscriptions from the period of Vijayalaya Chola, the Venad Kings and Travancore Kings are found at the temple, which is dedicated to the virgin Goddess Kanniyakumari alias Bhagavathi Amman.

Abour month ago, the HR&CE Department organised a prasannam (consulting pundits) for the construction of a rajagopuram over the existing structure, which remains incomplete. “We have to do a soil test and also consult experts at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) before going ahead with the project,” Mr Sekarbabu said.

HR&CE officials said there already exists, a foundation meant for a gopuram, and they are looking into whether the new structure can be laid over it, or whether a new foundation is necessary.

“There is a 5.2 feet granite foundation (athisthanam) and a superstructure of brick construction spanning seven feet. The roof is made of Madras terracing. Our study has revealed that the foundation had been raised on a granite rockbed of eight feet under the ground,” an official explained. It is not clear why the gopuram was not constructed originally, even after preparations were made for it.

As of now the plan is to construct a gopuram of eleven tiers, since this fits the ahamams of temple architecture. “But everything is at a preliminary stage now. We are studying the structure thoroughly before making a final decision,” the official said.