79 monoliths and a mountain of challenges: reconstructing a Nayak-era wonder
Restoration of the Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam at Madurai’s Meenakshi Amman Temple, destroyed by fire, faced numerous obstacles. Approximately 150 artisans, under the guidance of st̥hapathi V.P. Velmurugan from Tiruppur, reconstructed the historic hall. The revived structure was officially opened on August 30, marking the culmination of the challenging project. The effort, coordinated by temple authorities, involved detailed stone carving and careful replication of original designs.