Tourism dept’s multi-crore project to revive heritage sites

Historically important monuments in Tamil Nadu will be given a facelift by taking up its restoration and conservation works under the Rs 100-crore project.

According to a senior official from the Tourism Department, the restoration works will include chemical cleaning, reconstruction and construction of ruined sites, landscaping, brick stitching of worn out portions of forts and treating of cracks. He added that the department will shortly engage foreign experts and organisations, too.

Besides taking care of heritage structures, the department will also focus on improving basic urban infrastructure and services at tourist destinations to promote economic growth through tourism.

Hindu rulers built a fort on top of the hillock and Queen Thiyagavalli ruled the region. The place is named after her and Durgam means hill. Tippu Sultan is said to have defeated her and destroyed the fort, including a temple inside the fort. Its remains are found in granite, two canons, a statue and many more. Tippu Sultan is said to have fought the British from this hillock. The total height of the fort and temple is approximately 500 to 600 feet.

The revamp will include chain-link fencing for the fort, chemically clean the canons, reconstruct existing rock steps leading to the hill, clear vegetation around the hillock and light up the area.

Located 22 km away from Vandavasi, the temple was built by Cholas. It is dedicated to the deity Shiva, located at the base of Annamalai hills. The 9th century Saiva saint poet Manikkavasagar composed the Tiruvempaavai here. There are several sacred springs on the slope of the hill.

The department will take up landscaping and fencing work here. It will also build a dormitory to accommodate at least 33 pilgrims and do painting and repair works. Pathways will be paved and lighting facilities will also be provided.

It is a 375-year-old monument that stands testimony to the glorious years of the Nayak regime. Now, only one-fourth of its original structure remains intact.

Works to conserve the 248 pillars which add to the majestic appearance of the world-famous Mahal will be undertaken. The structure has weakened in time, causing leakage. Steps will be taken to arrest it.

The fort is said to have been built by the Mughal kings at the end of the 17th century. It was gifted to a French Governor Joseph François Dupleix.

Restoration works here will include treating cracks in structures by grouting and sealing. Heaps of sand in the outer and inner yard of the fort will be removed and boulders along the seashore will also be shifted to the east side of the fort to prevent sea erosion.

It is from there the great warrior Kattabomman raised his voice against the British regime in 17th century. He was one of the earliest freedom fighters and was hanged from a tree in Kayatharu in 1799. Landscaping, removal of shrubs around the fort, construction of restrooms, patchworks of the walls, etc will be done under the restoration project.

There are 10 bastions around the fort among which five are for installing the cannons and the rest for the artillery. This was the most important military barracks of the Travancore rulers when Padmanabhapuram was their capital.

Landscape measures, restoration of Pillai Kottai wall, removal of various kinds of vegetation from the inner and outer yard of the monument and treating of the cracks found in structures will be taken up as part of the project.

It was constructed and controlled by the Marudhu Pandiyar brothers in the middle of 18th century. They were chieftains of Sivagangai towards the end of the 18th century. They were known for fighting the East India Company. After a prolonged struggle, they were hanged by the British. Now the remains of this fort is protected as a historical monument.

As part of the conservation works, bushes covering the area will be cleared, cracks in the structures will be treated and the upkeep of the monument will be taken up.

After the British army at Waterloo defeated Napoleon in 1814, Serfoji-II, ruler of the Bhonsle dynasty of the Maratha principality of Thanjavur, built the fort to mark the victory.

A water repellent coat will be given to the walls of the fort to avoid dampness and CCTV cameras will be installed to ensure the safety of visitors.