400-year-old temple gets a ‘lift and shift’ revamp to adhere to Agama sastras

The Arulmigu Angala Parameswari Amman temple located on Varadaraj Street in Thazhayattham of Gudiyattam will be in a new shape after moved away 1.5 feet on its side and 13 feet backwards. It will also be raised by 5 feet from its present position in a span of one month.

Temple trustee G G Manoharan said, “The kumbhabishekam of the temple, 37 feet in height and 16 feet in width, was completed in 2002. The trustees felt that the time was right to do perform another kumbabishekam. During discussions on consecration, we were told that the temple should be pushed to a new location and raised in height to keep up with the agama sastras.”

K Kanagaraj, another trustee, added, “We were unable to identify or find anyone within the state for this massive operation and hence approached the Haryana-based company, who have already done similar works.”

The work was being monitored by Ramanatha Gurukkal of Chennai to ensure that Agama rules were followed properly.

Using nearly 500 jacks, the temple was pushed one-and-a-half feet to the side and work was under way to move the temple 13 feet backwards. Once the process was completed, it would be raised by one feet and padding will be placed beneath to allow it to settle. After that, it would be raised by another one foot. “This process will be followed till it is raised by up to five feet,” said a local resident, Kesavan.

The entire work is expected to be completed in another 30 to 35 days.

Interestingly, the process was attracting a large crowd as this was the first time that such an operation was being tried out in the town.