Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam inaugurated ahead of Meenakshi temple consecration

The renovated Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple after its inauguration on Sunday (August 30). | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement After an eight-year wait, the historic Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam at Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here was inaugurated on Sunday (August 30) ahead of the temple’s consecration on September 17.The mandapam was totally destroyed in a massive fire that broke out in the shops near the temple’s eastern gopuram on the night of February 2, 2018.The then AIADMK government initially earmarked ₹18.10 crore to restore the structure. But, sourcing stones proved to be the first major obstacle.Authorities selected a quarry in Pattam village in Rasipuram taluk in Namakkal district, and set up a carving yard at the temple-owned Koodal Sengulam farm in Madurai to shape 79 pillars, capitals, lintels, and other ornamental architectural elements.However, the project was severely stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic and procedural delays in finalising contracts.Although stone quarrying officially commenced in September 2020, local residents opposed the mining operations and dragged the matter to the Madras High Court, triggering a legal freeze until the court eventually ruled in favour of the temple.Just as work resumed, the second wave of COVID-19 brought quarrying at Pattam village to a halt once again. After the DMK came to power in 2021, the project underwent a financial revision, with the estimated cost more than doubling to ₹38.30 crore.Stone carving resumed in July 2021 at the Koodal Sengulam farm under the supervision of Tiruppur-based sthapathi V.P. Velmurugan.Restoration efforts were further accelerated following the TVK’s ascension to power in 2026.The erection of all the 79 monolithic pillars concluded on June 18, paving way for the swift completion of the roofing and final structural touches.Chanting vedic hymns, temple priests performed special pujas, and with the accompaniment of nagaswaram and thavil by temple vidwans, the historic mandapam was opened to the devotees. The priests said the mandapam had been completely restored as per Agama sastra. Published - August 31, 2026 07:56 pm IST