Heritage committee report awaited on construction of Kumbakonam temple tower: Minister

An aerial view of the Mahamaham tank in Kumbakonam which is expected to attract about 9 million devotees during the mega event in the year 2028. | Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH Construction of five tiers atop the kalkaram of the Mottaigopuram of the Sri Aadhikumbeswarar Temple in Kumbakonam will be taken up based on the report to be submitted by the Heritage Committee, according to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister, S. Ramesh.He told the media at Kumbakonam on Thursday said that the Heritage Committee members had inspected the granite basement of the Mottaigopuram.Last year, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department announced that it would take up construction of five tiers atop the 21 feet-high granite Mottaigopuram using brick and cement as the State-level and Regional-level Expert Committees have cleared the proposal.The department, which earlier planned to raise seven-tiers, changed its decision after the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchi, which carried out the soil test, declared that it would not be safe to add a seven-tier brick and cement structure atop the age-old ‘Mottaigopuram’.Mahamagam workWith respect to the conduct of “Mahamagam” at Kumbakonam, to be celebrated in March, 2028, Mr. Ramesh said permission had been issued for taking up renovation/repair work at important temples in Kumbakonam. Committees headed by senior officials would be formed to expedite the preparations and smooth conduct of the mega event.Stating that around 9 million devotees were expected to visit Kumbakonam on the auspicious occasion, the Minister said it was estimated that around 60% of the expected pilgrims might opt to travel by train. Hence, steps would be taken to have a smooth coordination of Union and State government departments to ensure proper and adequate facilities for the pilgrims, he added.Earlier, the Minister chaired a meeting of officials of all government departments in Kumbakonam to review the ‘Mahamagam’ preparatory steps initiated by the respective departments. The Agriculture Minister, R. Vinoth, Mayiladuthurai MP Sudha R., and Thanjavur MLA R. Vijaysaravanan participated in the meeting.Meanwhile, the Akila Bharathiya Sanyasigal Sangam has sought the HR and CE department’s coordination for the conduct of Maha Aarathi, being performed by the sangam on ‘Masi Magam’ days on the western bank of Mahamagam tank since 2016, on the ‘Mahamagam’ day. Published - September 10, 2026 05:23 pm IST