The Madras High Court has directed the Antiquities Commission committee to conduct an on-site inspection at the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple and submit a detailed report on whether any construction was carried out without approval from the state-level expert committee.
The case was filed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, alleging that a park was being developed around the gopurams without obtaining the required expert clearance, and seeking a restraint on the Podu Dikshitars from undertaking any construction inside the temple without permission.
During the hearing before a special bench comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and S. Soundar, counsel appearing for a devotee from Cuddalore alleged that a small mandapam had been built inside the temple without any permission and that a Bharatanatyam stage had been converted into a gosala. The devotee also raised concerns about shortcomings in facilities related to devotees’ safety.
Counsel for the Podu Dikshitars told the court that they had already given an undertaking earlier that no construction would be carried out. The bench noted that the Tamil Nadu government had issued an order on July 16 constituting a 14-member Antiquities Commission headed by retired ASI Chief Joint Director Nambirajan to oversee issues such as permissions for works in ancient temples and buildings.
The court directed the commission to inspect the Chidambaram temple and report on whether any works proceeded without the state expert committee’s approval, and adjourned the matter to August 27. The HR&CE side also said prior intimation would be given about the commission’s visit, as sought by the Podu Dikshitars.
