CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of using intricately built temple cars to carry deities on the streets during annual festivals, with the famed ‘aazhi ther’ of the Thiruvarur Tyagarajaswamy temple one of the biggest built.
But these carved wooden chariots, though generally used only once or twice a year, need regular maintenance, which can be expensive and also needs specialized craftsmen.
Over the years, scores of the cars have fallen apart as a result of neglect and disuse.
Now the department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) has decided to repair and restore to their original glory 73 temple cars across the state.
This was after the plight of the cars was highlighted at a recent review meeting attended by the minister and senior officials.
Joint commissioners and assistant commissioners of the HR & CE department who carried out inspections, found that Trichy region had the most number of temple cars that required repair — 14 chariots in 11 temples.
The cars in 10 temples in the Salem region, nine in the Erode area and three in Chennai were also earmarked for repairs.
“We are still in the process of collecting information on damaged temple cars.
We will take up repairs.
Experts would be roped in to restore the temple cars to their old glory,” said an official.
Details of repairs are still being worked out.
Many of the chariots have detailed engravings that may have been damaged.
The wooden wheels and axles of others may have fallen apart.
Over the years, the wooden wheels of many temple chariots have been replaced by iron wheels and the public sector BHEL has been one of the suppliers.
Among the temple cars identified for repairs are those of the Gangadeeswarar temple at Purasawalkam in Chennai, the Athanur Amman Thirukoil in Rasipuram, Arthanareeswarar temple at Tiruchengode in Namakkal district, the Vaitheeswaran Kovil in Sirkazhi and Aadhi Kumbeswarar temple in Kumbakonam.