: A PIL was filed in the Madras High Court today seeking its direction to the ASI to take over the administration of Ranganatha Swamy temple in Srirangam, recognised by UNESCO as a monument of historical and architectural importance.
The petitioner has claimes centuries old paintings and murals in the temple have been damaged during restoration.
In his PIL, petitioner Rangarajan Narasimhan has claimed that paintings have been "washed out" and idols of "huge sentimental" value have been "beheaded" during renovation.
The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice T S Sivagnanam, before which the PIL came up, said it would be heard with similar petitions pending before it. It also asked the petitioner to approach the high court-appointed committee and represent his grievances.
He alleged that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department had flouted "every possible rule" and caused damage that would take huge resources and time to restore sculptures, murals and idols to their original glory.
The Archaeological Survey of India's experience and expertise had not been utilized by persons "who are causing irreparable damage to the heritage."
Listing damage caused to idols and paintings, he said the abode of 'Kadambathadi Anjaneyar' had been demolished without any regard to its "historical and sentimental value".
Two idols in front of Shri Kothanda Ramar Swamy temple have been destroyed, and idol of Angadhan has been 'beheaded', hurting religious faiths of devotees, he said. "The idol of Sukhreevan is altogether demolished, and the remains of it are lying on the floor as rubble," the PIL alleged.
Murals and paintings have got erased as water had been sprayed on them at high speed, he said, adding that beautiful paintings depicting Ramayana too had been damaged.
"Under the guise of renovation, there cannot be any arbitrary demolition of mandapas, deities, paintings and structures, which are in existence for centuries," he said.
Citing replies obtained under Right to Information Act, he said there was no written document available with the authorities to monitor the course of renovation and the process was being done "as per the whims and fancies of HR&CE officials.
