The Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, has directed the authorities to take immediate steps to replace four damaged idols and install four missing idols of the eight Dikpalakas at the Sri Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur, popularly known as the Thanjavur Big Temple. A Division Bench comprising Justice C.V. Karthikeyan and Justice R. Sakthivelheld that the damaged and missing deities in the ancient temple’s shrines should be restored in accordance with Agama principles and in consultation with experts and Sthapathis.
The Court was dealing with three writ petitions concerning the Ashta Dikpalaka shrines and the Lord Indra shrine in the temple. The petitioners had sought, among other reliefs, replacement of mutilated deities and installation of missing idols. The temple, which is under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), had faced objections that replacement or installation of idols would not be permissible under the law governing protected monuments.
A joint inspection conducted pursuant to the Court’s directions found that Indiran, Yaman, Nirriti and Kuberan were missing, while Agni, Varunan, Vayu and Esanar were damaged. The Court noted that the temple remains a living place of worship and held that broken idols should not remain in their respective shrines, while the missing deities should be restored.
The Court rejected the contention that the provisions governing protected monuments prohibited the relief sought. It observed that the petitions did not seek to destroy, remove, alter or deface the monument, but only to install missing idols and replace damaged ones. The Bench also relied upon the statutory duty of the District Collector to preserve and protect the protected monument.
The Court directed the District Collector, Thanjavur; Joint Commissioner, HR&CE Department; Hereditary Trustee of Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam; and Assistant Superintending Archaeologist, ASI to jointly take immediate steps for the restoration. It permitted the officials to obtain fresh opinions from experts, Pandits and Sthapathis regarding implementation of the directions. Preliminary work is to commence within three months, while installation of the missing idols and replacement of the damaged idols must be completed within 12 months.
The writ petitions were accordingly allowed, with no order as to costs.
