Source: www.hinduonnet.com
CHENNAI, INDIA, August 25, 2010: The change that has come over the 1,200-year old Kailasanathar temple at Uttaramerur, about 56 miles from Chennai, is unbelievable. The temple, which was in total ruins, with dense vegetation growing over its vimana (the tower above the sanctum) and collapsed mandapams, looks as good as new today. The vimana has been restored to its original beauty, its broken stucco figurines re-created, the foundation’s granite stones re-stitched and the fallen mantapas re-erected. REACH Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, was behind this massive restoration and conservation effort.
“There were many challenges in this restoration and conservation work,” said T. Satyamurthy, founder of the Foundation and former Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, who led the efforts. “We overcame the challenges. The vimana has been conserved and restored, using as much as possible international techniques. The front mantapa, which had completely collapsed, stands majestically again. The arthamantapa has been re-assembled. The entire structure has been water-tightened. Not a drop of water can enter it now.”
The restoration process, which began on June 3, 2008, yielded a bonanza. Six inscriptions, one of Aditya Chola, (regnal years 871 – 907 CE), three of Rajendra Chola (regnal years 1012-1044 CE), one belonging to the Vijayanagara king Krishnadevaraya (early 16th century CE) and another of the late Vijayanagara period were found. A beautiful sculpture of a young bull (Nandi) and bas reliefs of Tamil Saivite saints Sundarar, Tirugnana Sambandar and Appar were among the other discoveries. Ballustraded steps of the Pallava period were excavated.
This Kailasanathar temple was built by the Pallava king Dantivarman towards the end of the 8th century CE.
[See before/after photos at “source,” above]