“Hence, we are replacing the damaged portions with specially ordered bricks of the same size,” he said. Two layers of bricks were being laid on the floor using a traditional mixture comprising lime mortar. The floor would be laid in such a way that there was no scope for water stagnation and seepage, the regional director explained.

Nambirajan also said the chemical cleaning of the two ‘gopurams’ at the entrance and the main ‘Vimana’ (tower) of the temple would be completed before the end of this year. 

Pointing out that the growth of mosses and lichen due to rains posed a risk to the structure, Nambirajan said they were being removed periodically. A chemical coating would be given to prevent their growth, he added.

“The work on cleaning the Keralanthagan tower with chemicals has commenced. The cleaning and preservation of the Raja Rajan tower and the main Vimana will be taken up subsequently,” he added. Earlier speaking at the function, Nambirajan said there were around 3,700 monuments under the maintenance of ASI in the country. “Of the around 1,000 monuments I have seen so far, two monuments, the Taj Mahal and the Big Temple, stun me whenever I visit them,” he added.