Priceless Artefacts Lying in Neglect at Sri Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy Temple

Nellore: Invaluable gifts offered by ardent devotees centuries ago to the historic Sri Talpagiri Ranganadha Swamy Temple in Nellore are showing signs of neglect, raising concern among devotees and heritage lovers. Several artefacts, including rare Tanjore wall murals are deteriorating, largely due to inadequate expertise in conservation over the years.

The ancient shrine, believed to have been built during the reign of Rajaraja Narendra and Ubhayakulotthonga Chola in the 12

th Century, is rich in history and architectural uniqueness. Historical records indicate that Jatavarma Sundarapandya donated lands to the temple in 13^th Century, underlining the shrine’s importance across dynasties.

One of the temple’s most striking features is the presiding deity facing west in a reclining posture, a rarity among Hindu temples where deities usually face east. Devotees are drawn to Lord Krishna’s painting as Vatapathra Sai under the ceiling, which creates an impression that the deity is gazing at every devotee standing under the mandapam. The temple houses magnificent paintings depicting the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu and revered Vaishnava saints, all adorned with gold borders that once shimmered brilliantly in the light.

Equally captivating is the Addala Mandapam (Hall of Mirrors), where a devoted follower of Lord Ranganadha Muppirala Chinna Narasimha Charyulu had put up imported Belgian mirrors surrounding an elevated seat in the early 20^th Century. When the deity is placed at the centre, the mirrors reflect hundreds of images, creating a breath-taking visual experience.

According to temple priest Kidambi Sampath Narayanan, Narasimha Charyulu also donated a five-metre-long silk cloth, intricately woven with the Vishnu Sahasranamam in gold zari. Of the 1,000 sacred mantras, 750 are woven into the main cloth, while the remaining 250 incorporated into the angavastram adorning the deity.

Around 20 weaver families from Kanchipuram had been brought to the temple during the 1920s. It took nearly eight years to complete the extraordinary work.

However, the silk cloth suffered damage during floods in the nearby Pennar River in the 1940s. It continues to deteriorate, particularly along the folds. Wall paintings in the Addala Mandapam are also peeling due to water seepage from the ceiling, causing them to lose their sheen.

A previous temple committee had consulted experts from Tamil Nadu for restoration of the artefacts. But the initiative stalled following a change in administration.

Temple executive officer Alla Srinivasulu Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that they would soon consult the Central Archaeology wing to explore scientific solutions for restoring the Tanjore murals and the precious silk textiles bearing the sacred Namavali of Lord Ranganadha and other deities.