Ancient Cheluvanrayana Swamy Temple Leaking At Several Points, Asi Yet To Fix It
A temple attached to Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple said “Not only at a couple of places but the temple structure leaks at several points.
BENGALURU: Century old Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple at Melukote, a popular Hindu pilgrim centre, in Pandavapura of Mandya district has been leaking at a couple of places including the sanctum sanctorum for some years now. Archaeological Survey of India, custodian of the monument, yet to fix them.
A Centrally protected monument, the Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple belongs to the Hoysala era dating back to a thousand years back. An official attached to Archaeological Survey of India, custodian of the temple, told Deccan Chronicle on Saturday “We are waiting for approval for works to begin” and the official exuded confidence that “approval would be granted this year.” The official said “We are aware of the leakage at the sanctum sanctorum, circumambulation area among others.”
ASI officials have made a spot inspection and taken measurement of the leakage points but works are yet to begin, ASI sources said and stated “Usually old temples, mortar used gets weakened with the passage of time leading to leakage in temples’ and the sources added “ASI takes up works to fix the leakage in temples belonging to jurisdiction.”
The source attached to ASI said “Previously leakage at many temples have been attended and fixed using mortar.”
A temple attached to Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple said “Not only at a couple of places but the temple structure leaks at several points. We had complained to officials concerned but nothing substantial happened so far.”
The priest said “So far we haven’t had any problems owing to leakage except for causing inconvenience since the leakage has been observed at the edges.”
“Not only priests of the temple many others too have complained to officials concerned to fix the leaks but no steps have been initiated till now,” the priest said and he confirmed inspection and measurement of the leaking points have been noted down by ASI officials and the problem is yet to be addressed since monsoon is around the corner.
