But, about 25 years ago, a well-intentioned initiative of the ASI to “take over and control” the Chola-period Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai, about 200 km west of Chennai, ended in failure. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act and Rules do not permit the ASI to take over or control any temple. Maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the State government, the temple had its last kumbabishekam in February 2017. Rampant encroachmentsIt all began in April 2002 when then Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Jagmohan visited the temple town. Narasimhan, held a meeting with representatives of the Arunachaleswara Temple Protection Committee in Tiruvannamalai and explained to them the rationale behind the ASI’s plan.

Source: The Hindu January 28, 2026 18:36 UTC