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Sri Sathyavageeswarar Sri Gomathi Ambal Temple, Kalakad Rajagopuram Renovation Project
Location & History of Kalakad: The Temple is located at the Northern side of Kalakad village. Kalakad is at the foot of the western ghats, surrounded by paddy fields. It is in the Thirunelveli dist of Tamilnadu and 11km west from Nanguneri, the taluk head quarters. Kalakad is also known as Chozha Kula Vallipuram, Chora Karanyam etc.. The temple was constructed in many stages, by various Maharajas, during different periods and the current shape was finished by Maharaja Veeramarthanda Pandiyan, in the 11th century.
The Deities: The main sannidhi is for Sri Sathyavageeswarar, also called as “Punnaivana Nathar”. The temple has separate sannidhis for Sri Gomathi ambal, Sri Subramanya, Sri Nataraja and Sri Krishna.
Temple construction: The temple, which is also called as “Periyakovil” spreads over an area of 651 feet X 259 feet, fully enclosed with stone compound wall of 20 feet high. The Rajagopuram, having a base size of 90’x50’, is 135 ft tall, consisting of 9 tiers, which is the tallest in the Thirunelveli dist. It has mooligai (herbal) paintings of Ramayana and Mahabharata on east and west sides of the walls in all the nine tiers.
Present condition: After a lapse of 65 years, the kumbabhishekam of the temple was performed, with great difficulty in raising the funds, on 20th April 2000, after renovating the temple and the vimanams. The work of renovation of the Rajagopuram could not be taken up due to paucity of funds. The Rajagopuram, even though it looks majestic, most of the lime sculptures are in broken condition and the timber flooring with the topping of brick on edge, laid in lime mortar is damaged in the central portion of all the tiers. The paintings on the walls are stained with refuse of bats.
Remedy & the cost involved: This wonderful temple needs to be brought back to glory. Immediate actions are to be taken to rectify all defective works including the flooring, restoration of the lime sculptures and paintings. This project is estimated to cost Rs.43 lakhs to carryout the above works, and may reach Rs.50 lakhs during the time of completion.
Since Kalakad is an agricultural based village, it is not possible to raise such a huge amount.
On behalf of the “Public of Kalakad”, Bakthar Peravai requests the kind hearted devotees of the Lord to contribute generously towards this project.
May Sri Gomathi Ambal and Sri Sathyavageeswarar shower Divine Grace and Blessings on you and your family. Yours truly, Kalakad Bakthar Peravai
Note : Kalakad is also called as "Thenkalakudi" and is a Vaiputhalam by Appar Swamigal. |
