Govt turns blind eye to monument desecration

THRISSUR: The outer walls of Southern Nada (entrance) tower of Sree Vadakkumnathan Temple which is a protected historical monument and part of World UNESCO Heritage site have been desecrated by anti-socials who engraved their names and love symbols on the age-old structure.

The temple structures were included in the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2015 and the archaeological department is protecting the structures of the temple including all the four entrance towers.

V.K. Venkitachalam, general secretary of the Heritage Animal Task Force based here said the site is not properly maintained either by the archaeological department which has an office in Pullazhi here nor the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB) which takes care of the day-to-day matters of the temple.

"The structures were maintained spending lakhs of rupees,' he said. "It must be remembered that it is an entrance tower of one of the well-known temples in India. The tower is opened only during Thrissur Pooram and on Sivarathri."

The plastering on the wall of the tower has been done using a special mix of limestone.

He said that he had filed a complaint with the chief of central archaeological department in New Delhi over the matter.

Assistant commissioner of CDB A. Jayakumar said the matter would be taken up with the archaeological department and the CDB would set up a protective fence which could be shifted during Thrissur Pooram.

“Board members of CDB would take the final decision on the matter. Police will also be informed," he added.

Superintending archeologist at the Pullazhi office of Archaeological Survey of India K.P. Mohandas was not available for response.