Throwing light at the sad state of Abatsahayesvar Temple near Kumbakonam

Of the several temples spread across South India, Tamil Nadu’s Abatsahayesvar Temple is in the news for its sad plight. The Rajagopuram of the Abatsahayesvar Temple, located 15 km from Kumbakonam, is enveloped with vegetation and moss these days.
Built by Rajendra Chola I about a thousand years ago and further expanded by Vikrama Chola, the structure in Thukkachi, the beauty of the place is marred by cracks, wild undergrowth, fading murals and broken sculptures.

Although the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department of the Tamil Nadu government takes care of the structure, it has lost its former glory due to the sheer neglect of the concerned authorities. Reportedly, the temple was due to be renovated three years ago but the project was dropped.

There are several Chola-era temples, but the Abatsahayesvar Temple is a special brick-and-stone structure. The renovation work was dropped mainly because it was harming the present structure and the artisans involved were not skilled to do justice to the delicate restoration work.
The Abatsahayesvar Temple has its brick structure intertwined with stone pillars. There are hardly temples like this in the modern era.

As reported by the TOI, R. Vishwanathan, who teaches at Chennai’s National Art and Science College, had visited the temple only to witness the murals of Lord Shiva and the temple ceiling in a poor condition. The Chola-era murals are in ruins and no one is bothered to take care of them.
Vishwanathan also told TOI that the photographs of the ruins of this temple show the sheer apathy of the government towards the heritage structure.