Locals rebuild 9th century CE Vishnu temple

Feb 1, 2005

Local people rebuild a 9th century Vishnu temple
Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 24, 2005

A 9th century Vishnu temple, which remained dilapidated for years,
is being rebuilt at Perumpazhuthur, near here, thanks to the
initiative of the local people.

Authenticated by historians as having been built during the rule of
the ''Ay" dynasty in 867 A.D, the temple is one of the rarest of its
kind the country with a circular-shaped sanctum santorum.

Though the temple finds mention in the ''Monuments of Kerala'',
published by the Archaeological Survey of India, it remained
dilapidated with most of its remains buried till the people of
Perumpazhuthur organised themselves to reconstruct the edifice and
restore its old glory a few months ago.

The book, authored by H Sarkar, mentions only a few circular temples
in Kerala, including that at Perumpazhuthur. He also highlighted
that circular temples were rare for Dravidian style.

''The Arts and Crafts of Travancore,'' authored by Stella Kramrish
and pubished by the Department of Culture, carries the photo of the
temple in a dilapidated condition and the damaged statue of Vishnu.

The effort to rebuild the temple started with the formation of a
trust named ''Sanadhana Dharma Sanghom Trust,'' with Mr R
Chandrasekharan as its Managing Trustee.

The idol of the principal deity, which is now kept at the
Archaeological Museum at the Sreekrishnapuram Palace at Kayamkulam
in Kerala, would not be used in the temple again as it was damaged.

The idol was removed from the temple after 1938, according to
records.