Traditional construction techniques to the rescue of Simhachalam Temple

The Hindu

3 days ago

The Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Visakhapatnam's Simhachalam has been drawing devotees from across Andhra and beyond for centuries. Steeped in history and myths, the architectural wonder has stood the test of time and elements, a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the ancient architects who built it.
Many of its construction techniques continue to puzzle modern engineers, and this lack of understanding became evident two decades ago when an attempt was made to arrest leaks on the temple roof using cement concrete.
When the leaks reappeared, however, the temple management turned to IIT-Tirupati and the Archaeology Department for help. As per their suggestions, a plan was hammered out to repair the roof of the main temple, the old Kalyana Mandapam and the 'Nivedhanasala' using traditional techniques and materials at ₹4 crore. Funds for the work would come from Lord Venkateswara Charitable and Religious Trust of Pune under the donor scheme.
On February 11, Executive Officer V. Trinadha Rao and trust representative Vishal Limkar exchanged a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to undertake the repairs, and the work, which began in April, is currently under way.
According to K. Muniratnam Reddy, Director-Epigraphy, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), scientific repairs can ensure longevity for ancient rock structures. 'We have suggested the use of traditional materials—lime, Arabic tree gum, hirda, jaggery, okra, jute and urad dal,' he added. Muniratnam Reddy was visiting Simhachalam temple to participate in the MoU exchange programme.
On the preparation of the traditional mortar, he said that materials like Arabic tree gum, jaggery and jute would be boiled and kept in tanks for about a month and a half. After that, lime and surkhi would be mixed to form a concrete of sorts. Around 80% of the restoration work, being carried out by Uttaradevi Charitable Trust-Pune, has been completed, he added.
The main temple has a common roof for both Sri Swamy Varu and Ammavaru. Leaks have developed on the temple beda mandapams on the four sides (north, south, east and west), the Asthana mandapam, Kalyana mandapam, pakasala-1 and pakasala-2 (the lord's kitchen). The common roof is spread over 24,000 sq.ft., according to the temple management.
The roof is made of hard black stone slabs, which is not locally available. These slabs are overlaid with brick jelly (second layer), surki lime (third layer) and cement concrete and mortar (fourth layer).
Age of the temple
Though the exact age of the temple remains unknown, an inscription found at the temple has been dated to 1098-99 CE. It is believed to have been commissioned by Chola Emperor Kulottunga-I, who conquered the Kalinga territories. It could be deducted that the temple must have been a place of importance even at that period. Another inscription shows that a queen of the Velanandu chief Gonka III (1137-56 CE) gilded the idol in gold.
The central shrine, the mukhamandapam, the natyamandapam and the enclosing veranda were built in the later half of 13th century using black stone. The temple also has inscriptions commissioned by Vijayanagara Emperor Krishna Devaraya, recounting his successes and narrating how he and his queen presented the lord with a necklace of 991 pearls and other costly gifts.
The government epigraphist's lists for 1899 shows that the temple has at least 125 such inscriptions, making it a repository of the the district's history.
'Sthalapurana'
Local legend has it that the temple was built by demon king Hiranyakasipu's son Prahlada. Hiranyakasipu and brother Hiranyaksha were mighty demons bent on disturbing world peace. When Lord Vishnu slayed Hiranyaksha by assuming his boar incarnation (Varaha Avatara), Hiranyakasipu swore revenge.
He propitiated Lord Brahma and secured a boon that he could not be killed by either animal or a man, neither in the morning nor at night, by any weapons and neither in sky nor on the earth.
Much to Hiranyakasipu's chagrin, however, his son Prahlada became a devotee of Lord Vishnu right from his birth. When his attempts to mend the ways of his son failed, Hiranyakasipu asked his servants to throw him into the sea. His servants chose to drop Prahlada at sea near Mount Simhadri, but he was saved by Lord Vishnu. Simhadri is thus the place where the Lord rescued Prahlada. According to the Stalapurana, Prahlada built a temple for the deity. At the end of that life-cycle (Krita yuga), however, the temple was neglected and fell into disrepair.
At the beginning of another life-cycle, the temple was discovered by Emperor Pururava of the Lunar Dynasty. He worshipped the deity and rebuilt the temple.
Architectural grandeur
The temple has a square shrine surmounted by a high tower, a portico in the front with a smaller tower above it, a sixteen-pillar square mandapam (mukhamandapam) facing this and an enclosed veranda, all made of dark granite richly and delicately carved with ornamental floral designs and scenes from Vishnu Puranas.
One of the pillars is called the kappa stambham or 'tribute pillar', which devotees believe has the ability to cure diseases. In the veranda is a stone car with stone wheels and prancing stone horses.
Outside this inner enclosure, to the north of the temple, is a Natyamandapam, where the Lord's wedding is performed. This is supported by 96 pillars of black stone arranged in sixteen rows of six each. Each pillar is embellished with unique carvings but has the general capital of an inverted lotus.
The idol remains covered in sandal paste, which is ritualistically removed once a year (on Akshaya Thritheeya day). Celebrated as Chandanayatra or Chandanotsavam, this occasion gives devotees a glimpse of the idol's true form; it is the most important festival in this temple.
The temple is supervised by the family of the Vizianagaram Samsthanam and is being run under their trusteeship. According to their resolutions, necessary activities are taken up for the temple administration. The Commissioner of Endowments is the final authority for all the decisions and rulings on temple maintenance.