Tamil Nadu temples get a lift: Preserving history, beating floods

Every monsoon, grey water from nearby roads flows into the sanctum sanctorum of the 800-year-old Sri Raviswarar temple in Vyasarpadi, disrupting daily rituals. Similarly, sewer water routinely enters the Sri Kalikambal temple in Mannady during heavy rains.

To address flooding, the Sri Kalikambal temple’s five-tier Rajagopuram is being lifted by four feet, while the sanctum sanctorum and mandapas of Raviswarar temple are being raised by up to seven feet using controlled jacklifting technology.

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has appointed specialised contractors from northern states to carry out structural lifting and foundation strengthening in 25 temples across Chennai and other districts.

Temples typically have walls three to five feet thick, made of stone and lime mortar. Lifting is done carefully using controlled jacklifting to maintain structural integrity.

A 10-member state-level HR&CE committee approves temple lifting. The committee includes agama experts, sthapathis, Archaeological Survey of India officials, and structural engineers. Clearance of at least five feet around the structure is required to lift safely.

Most temples are decades old and now sit below surrounding road levels due to repeated relaying and urbanisation. Elevation and foundation strengthening are preferred over demolition to prevent heritage loss and reduce costs.

Lifting work has been completed at 11 temples: nine in Chennai and one each in Chengalpet and Tirupur districts. In Chennai, completed temples include Arulmigu Somanathaswamy (Kolathur), Thiruvalleswarar (Padi), Varasiddhi Vinayakar (Villivakkam), and Dharmaraja Draupadi Amman (Komaleeswaranpet).