Namaskaram
ஆலயம் தொழுவது சாலவும் நன்று
History of Sri Sathyavageeswarar Gomathi ambal Temple Kalakad.
Location:
The Temple is located at the Northern side of Kalakad village. Kalakad, is at the foot of the western ghats, surrounded by paddy fields. It is in the Thirunelveli dist of Tamilnadu and 11km west from Nanguneri, the taluk head quarters.History:
Kalakad is also known as Chozha kula vallipuram, chora karanyam etc., The temple was constructed in many stages, by various Maharajas, during different periods and the current shape was finished by Maharaja Veeramarthanda pandiyan, in the 11th century.
The deity:
The main deity is Sri Sathyavageeswarar, also called as “Punnaivana nathar”. The temple houses separate sannathis for Sri Gomathy ambal, Sri Subramania, Sri Nataraja, Sri Krishna.The construction:
The temple, which is also called as “Periyakovil” spreads over an area of 651 feet X 259 feet, fully enclosed with stone compound wall of 20 feet high. The Rajagopuram , having a base size of 90’x50’, is 135 ft tall, consisting of 9 tiers, which is the tallest in the Thirunelveli dist. It has mooligai (herbal) paintings of Ramayana and Mahabharata on east and west sides of the walls in all the nine tiers, The present condition:
After a lapse of 65 years, the kumbabishekam of the temple was performed, with great difficulty in raising the funds, on 20th April 2000, after renovating the temple and the vimanams. The work of renovation of the Rajagopuram could not be taken up due to paucity of funds.The Rajagopuram, even though it looks majestic, most of the “sudhai vigrahams” ( lime sculptures) are in broken condition and the timber flooring with the topping of brick on edge laid in lime mortar is damaged in the central portion of all the tiers. The paintings on the walls are stained with refuse of bats.
The remedy:
Immediate actions are to be taken to rectify all defective works including the flooring, restoration of the lime sculptures and paintings. Such a monument is to be preserved.The cost:
It is estimated that Rs 85 lacs are required to carryout the above works, which may reach Rs one crore, when the renovation is getting completed.Funds for renovation:
Since Kalakad is an agricultural based village, it is not possible to raise such a huge amount. State Govt or the Central Govt, may have to take necessary steps for preserving such a historical monument by allocating necessary funds and commence the restoration of the Rajagopuram of Sri Sathyavageeswarar Gomathy ambal temple at Kalakad.Will they do it?