Chennai: Sri Lord Venkateswara Religious and Charitable Trust in Pune is planning to restore and conserve 10 ancient temples in Tamil Nadu, including Sri Vadivudai Amman temple in Tiruvottiyur.“We are planning to restore temples identified by HR&CE department. Each restoration will cost between ₹5 crore and ₹7 crore,” said K Munirathnam Reddy, director (epigraphy), Archaeological Survey of India, who is identifying the temples.B Venkateswara Rao, trustee of the trust, has funded restoration of seven ancient temples in Andhra Pradesh — including Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala and temples in Kalahasti, Simhachalam, Srisailam — and a group of temples at Alampur in Telangana. The trust, along with its experts, met HR&CE minister S Ramesh and commissioner T G Vinay to identify the temples for restoration.“In the first phase, we are planning to restore three ancient temples at a cost of ₹20 crore. We will carry out work to arrest water leakages, chemical conservation,” added Munirathnam Reddy.The restoration work is headed by ASI’s former director (restoration) R S Jamwal. S Rajavelu, epigraphist and archaeological adviser to HR&CE department, took the team to Vadivudai Amman temple in Tiruvottiyur.“The restoration work will begin after the department submits its list of ancient temples. We plan to conserve those which need immediate attention,” Rajavelu said. Temples in Rameswaram, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Srirangam and Chidambaram might feature in the list, though the final list will be prepared after physical inspection of the temples.
