Ancient Grandeur: 1,300-Year-Old Tamil Nadu Temple to Get 125ft Tower Using Traditional Methods
The Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple is building a massive 125-foot Rajagopuram using ancient techniques, lime mortar, and jaggery instead of cement.
In a remarkable effort to blend spiritual devotion with architectural heritage, the Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple in Thiruvellarai, near Tiruchirappalli, is witnessing the rise of a magnificent 125-foot Rajagopuram. This main entrance tower, which has remained unfinished for centuries, is being constructed using strictly traditional techniques, completely eschewing modern materials like cement and steel.
A Monumental Leap in Height
The temple's entrance tower previously stood at approximately 60 feet with only two tiers. The current project aims to elevate this structure to a towering 125 feet, featuring seven intricate tiers. To crown this architectural marvel, seven kalasams (ornamental structures) will be placed at the very top. The entire project is estimated to cost Rs 14.65 crore and is expected to reach completion by April 2027.
The Secret Ingredients: No Cement, No Steel
What makes this construction truly extraordinary is the commitment to ancient building sciences. Instead of reinforced concrete, the team is utilizing lime mortar and specially crafted bricks. To ensure the strength and longevity of the structure, the construction process incorporates a unique blend of natural materials, including:
- Iluppai wood for structural support.
- Jaggery, aloe vera, and bael fruit mixed into the mortar for binding.
- Kadukkai (myrobalan) for added durability.
The scale of the operation is immense; approximately 12 lakh specially selected bricks have been sourced from Thrissur in Kerala to meet the specific requirements of the design.
Preserving a Living Legacy
For the donors and engineers involved, this project is about more than just bricks and mortar. VS Jayabal, an engineer and donor who travels from Coimbatore several times a week to supervise the site, emphasizes that the goal is to keep traditional building skills alive. By employing these methods, the project serves as a practical classroom for passing ancestral knowledge to younger generations.
To ensure that the necessary natural resources are available for this and future projects, Jayabal's family has planted 450 Iluppai trees across 8.5 acres of temple-owned land. This is particularly significant as Iluppai wood is essential for the construction, and the oil from its seeds is used within the temple's rituals.
A Glimpse into History
The Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple is not just any place of worship; it is one of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy sites associated with Vaishnavite saints. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is believed to date back to the Pallava period, roughly the eighth or ninth centuries, and some traditions suggest it is even older than the famous Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.
Perched on a white rocky hill, the temple complex is a treasure trove of history, featuring:
- Ancient rock-cut caves and sculptures.
- Historic inscriptions detailing past eras.
- A unique swastika-shaped stepped tank.
Over the centuries, the temple has been nurtured and expanded by various ruling dynasties, including the Cholas, Pandyas, and the Vijayanagara Empire.
The Road to Consecration
While restoration efforts began as early as 2015, the current intensive phase of the Rajagopuram construction kicked off on April 1, 2024. Architect Sabapathi Kumaragurubaran and his team are leading the work in close coordination with the donors. Once the seven-tiered tower is complete, the grand consecration ceremony is planned to take place in 2027, during either the Vaikasi or Avani month.