Maintenance equipment mar 500-year-old edict

The earliest edict in Chennai by Pallava king Dantivarman is within the sanctum of the Triplicane temple that dates back to 8th Century. Seemingly oblivious to its value, the edicts that date back to 500 years on the inner side of the compound wall have been effaced with electrical and other maintenance equipment, thus hiding and disfiguring the text. 

“During my latest visit I was in for a shock to see the almost 500 years old edict in the east has completely been covered. It is sad that there is no concern for the historical significance. With the place being air conditioned, there is a necessity to fire proof it. But the least we can do is to place them on walls where there are no edicts,” says Venketesh Ramakrishnan, a city-based historian, who recently visited the temple for a recce for an upcoming event. 

Venkatesh says that a recent renovation has left the structure in a state of disarray. “Another edict has been placed upside down and some sculptures have been dumped on the premises.”

The temple is administrated by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. 

Tara Murali, co-convener, Chennai Chapter, INTACH, says that there is a concern about fire accidents, especially after the recent fire accident at Madurai Meenakshi Temple. “While we are concerned about fire accidents at historical structures, we are also worried about the loss of aesthetics,” she said. 

A temple staff admitted that placing the equipment on the edict was a wrong move. The source on the condition of anonymity, added, “We have merely executed the orders from the higher ups. Instead, we could have an electrician on the premises during the night as well, as the idea is to avert fire accidents.”