Lok Sabha Question No. 4875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-23
Subject: Preservation and Promotion of Cultural Heritage of Tamil Nadu
Ministry: CULTURE
Asked by: Shri Navaskani K, Shri Selvam G, Shri C N Annadurai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CULTURE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4875 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2026

## PRESERVATION AND PROMOTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGE OF TAMIL NADU

## 4875. SHRI C N ANNADURAI: SHRI NAVASKANI K: SHRI SELVAM G:

Will the Minister of CULTURE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has supported key cultural heritage preservation and promotion initiatives in Tamil Nadu during the last three years;
- (b) the  details  of  major  projects  undertaken  for  conservation  of  monuments,  heritage structures,  traditional  art  forms  and  cultural  institutions  in  the  said  State  along  with project-wise budgets allocated funds released and utilised;
- (c) whether  these  initiatives  have  contributed  to  safeguarding  tangible  and  intangible heritage, including classical arts, folk traditions and temple-related cultural practices of Tamil Nadu;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  assessed  the  outcomes,  such  as  increased  public  access, community participation, skill transmission and cultural tourism; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  further  strengthen  collaboration  with  State agencies,  local  bodies,  academic  institutions  and  community  organisations  to  ensure sustainable  preservation,  documentation  and  promotion  of  Tamil  Nadu's  rich  cultural heritage and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF CULTURE AND TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

- (a) There are 412 centrally protected monuments/sites under the jurisdiction of
- to Archaeological  Survey  of  India  (ASI)  in  Tamil  Nadu.  ASI  takes  up  conservation  and
- (d) preservation works of these monuments/ sites as per the need and availability of resources subject to the National Policy for Conservation  and  it is a continuous  process. Monuments are regularly inspected by the technical team of ASI and conservation works are undertaken on priority basis. Details of major conservation works undertaken by ASI in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last 3 years are given at Annexure - I.

As part of promotion initiatives, ASI, organize cultural programs and heritage walks, special cleaning campaigns during special occasions.

The  details  of  budget  allocated  and  utilised  by  ASI  in  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  for conservation during the last 3 years are given below:-.

(Amount in Crores)

|   S. No. | Year    |   Allocation |   Expenditure incurred |
|----------|---------|--------------|------------------------|
|        1 | 2022-23 |        19.95 |                  19.95 |
|        2 | 2023-24 |        22.5  |                  22.5  |
|        3 | 2024-25 |        18.95 |                  18.94 |

The Government of India has set up South Zone Cultural Centre (SZCC) at Thanjavur (Tamil  Nadu)  to  preserve  and  promote  various  forms  of  folk  art  and  culture  of  its member  States.  SZCC  organizes  various  cultural  activities  and  programmes  in  its member States on regular basis for which annual grant-in-aid is provided to them. The grant-in-aid released to SZCC during the last three years is as under:

(Amount in Crores)

| Year    | Amount released   |
|---------|-------------------|
| 2022-23 | Rs. 9.95          |
| 2023-24 | Rs. 21.43         |
| 2024-25 | Rs. 20.49         |

The  major  cultural  activities/  programmes  organized  by  SZCC  during  the  last  three years  are  AshadaNavarathriVizha,  Cultural  Festival  at  Raj  Bhawan  (Chennai),  Pongal Celebrations, Quila Aur  Kahaniya  Programme,  Annual  Margazhi  Music  festival, Abirami Anthathi (Vanishing Artform), Summer Festival, Namma OoruThiruvizha(Chennai Sangamam), Indian Dance Festival and Kamba Ramayana.

SZCC  also  run  Guru  Shishya  Parampara  Scheme  where  traditional  masters  train young  disciples  to  ensure continuity of cultural knowledge  which  helps  artistes, researchers and community bearers to safeguard folk traditions of Tamil Nadu.

As  and when major cultural events/ festivals are organized by State Government of Tamil Nadu, SZCC participates in these events/ festivals by way of providing cultural troupes on their request.

- (e) ASI  collaborates with State agencies, local  bodies  and  academic  institutions for preservation and promotion of Tamil Nadu's rich cultural heritage.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 4875  FOR 23.03.2026.

Details of major conservation works undertaken by ASI in the State of Tamil Nadu during the last 3 years

2022-23

|   S. No. | Name of Monument                                     | Details of major conservation works undertaken                                                                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Old temple with apsidal gopuram, Manimangalam        | Providing weather shield to temple vimanas and stone flooring De-silting the water tank                                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        2 | Apathasahayeswara Temple at Sendamangalam            | Restoration of outer prakara wall towards northern side of temple.                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|        3 | Brahmapuriswara Temple, Brahmadesam                  | Restoration of outer prakara wall towards northern side of temple.                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|        4 | Venkataramana temple, Gingee                         | Providing stone flooring for southern side cloister mandapa.                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|        5 | Kailasanatha temple, Kanchipuram                     | Providing stone apron with kerb stone around the temple prakara wall, and repairs to the temple drains.                                                                                                                                                                 |
|        6 | Chandramouliswara temple, Nattery                    | Providing new MS grill fencing, painting of wooden doors, stone benches etc.                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|        7 | Monolithic rock cut temple, Mahendravadi             | Providing fencing around the monolithic rock cut temple.                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
|        8 | Iravateneswara temple, Kanchipuram                   | Repairs to the ancient well, removing debris, damaged MS grills, plastering, damaged flat tiles etc. strengthening minor cracks, mending and strengthening worn out panel of stucco, painting of door, MS Grills.                                                       |
|        9 | Large Siva temple (Apathsahayeswara temple) Thenneri | Providing stone flooring, Plastering to the outer prakaara wall, Providng MS grill gate for Vinayaga sub shrine.                                                                                                                                                        |
|       10 | Valeeswarar temple, Valikantapuram                   | Water Tightening to the leaking terrace over the middle portion of terrace.                                                                                                                                                                                             |
|       11 | Veerabadhra temple, Chinnakavandanur                 | Restoration of side revetments of Veerabadhra temple tank                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
|       12 | Jalakanteswara temple, Vellore                       | Cleaning the drainage/sewage, painting to the old MS grills, providing barbed wire fencing and providing MS grill fencing with necessaryMS grill gates around the temple.                                                                                               |
|       13 | Ranganatha temple at Erukampattu                     | Providing granite stone flooring, stone slabs and reconstruction of bulged revetment wall etc.                                                                                                                                                                          |
|       14 | Choleeswara temple, Melpadi                          | Providing granite stone flooring, water tightening to the mandapa terrace and providing MS grill fencing with dwarf wall etc.                                                                                                                                           |
|       15 | Jain temple Thirumalai                               | Providing granite stone flooring infront of the pathway, plastering to the walls, lime flooring, reconstruction of brick slope masonry, construction of masonry wall, providing MS grill fencing, MS gate and roller gate and painting to the old MS grill fencing etc. |
|       16 | Munkudimiswarar temple, Ponvilainthakalathur         | Upgradation of existing fencing and laying of stone pathway towards southern side.                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|       17 | Aleva Shore temple, Mamallapuram                     | Construction/repairs to the existing compound wall towards north west corner, Resetting stone Pathway, Painting work etc.                                                                                                                                               |
|       18 | Rajendracholiswara Temple at Ponnamaravathy          | Earth work excavation for exposing the original plinth level of the monument for proper drainage system, providing new stone flooring.                                                                                                                                  |
|       19 | Parthasarathy and Krishna                            | Re-setting undulated stone flooring, Providing apron to the sub-                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

|    | Temple at Parthivapuram                                  | shrines, Repairs to the doors and wooden works etc.                                                                           |
|----|----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 20 | Brihadiswara Temple, Gangaikondacholapuram               | Providing Laying brick flooring to the pathway                                                                                |
| 21 | Pre-Historic Remains at Adichanallur                     | Providing roof at B-site area including providing toughened glass at the top of the trench to make the trench visible inside. |
| 22 | Stone and brick fort, Tirumayam,                         | Restoration of fortification wall in the northeast corner and pointing work at the western side of fort wall                  |
| 23 | Soundararajaperumal temple, Irumbanadu                   | Water tightening to the terrace of the temple and providing stone apron around the structure.                                 |
| 24 | Sikkanathaswamy temple, Kudumiyanmalai temple            | Reconstruction of the southern wall of the temple tank and water tightening the terrace of mahamandapa.                       |
| 25 | Siva temple at Panangudi                                 | Providing MS grill fencing over the dwarf wall all around the protected area.                                                 |
| 26 | Stone idols of Devi, Vishnu and Siva temple at Rasipuram | Reconstruction of main shrine wall in granite stone as per old clue and design including core filling.                        |

## 2023-24

|   S. No. | Name of Monument                                                                                                                  | Details of major conservation works undertaken                                                                                                                                                                          |
|----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Narasimhaswami and Ranganathaswami Temples, Namakkal                                                                              | Water tightening of leaky terrace, repairs to the drain, and providing tree-guards.                                                                                                                                     |
|        2 | Two rock cut cave temples at the north east corner of the KoneriPallam tank at Mamallapuram                                       | Raising of existing grill fencing                                                                                                                                                                                       |
|        3 | Sri Apathsahayeswara Temple, Sendamangalam                                                                                        | Resetting/Providing stone flooring in cloister mandapa towards Southern side.                                                                                                                                           |
|        4 | Fort and Temples on the Hill, Chinnakavandanur                                                                                    | Providing pathways connecting entrance gate to mandapa, aprons, restoration of fallen breached portion of fortification wall.                                                                                           |
|        5 | Rock-Cut Siva Temple (Sathiyagiriswara Shrine) at Thirumayam                                                                      | Water tightening the roof terrace of mandapa areas of sub shrines.                                                                                                                                                      |
|        6 | Rock-Cut Vishnu Temple (Sathyamurthi Shrine) at Thirumayam                                                                        | Water tightening the roof terrace of mandapa areas of subshrines.                                                                                                                                                       |
|        7 | Siva temple, Varappur                                                                                                             | Water tightening to the terrace of main shrine mahamandapa, Providing stone apron around the structure, Water tightening the terrace of amman shrine.                                                                   |
|        8 | SreeValeeswara Temple, Thiruvaleeswaram                                                                                           | Removing damaged capital and providing new capital including remove the slab and leaked water tightening, re-fixing the slab and water tightening the terrace.                                                          |
|        9 | Boulder Stone Bed and Brahmi Inscriptions on the hill and Rock cut Temples with Inscription at the foot of the hill at Kunnakudi. | Water tightening the roof terrace of main mandapa, Mending and strengthening the broken/worn out panel of stucco figures in the vimanam of the shrine                                                                   |
|       10 | Excavated Remains of Buddhist Vihara and Temple at PallavaneswaramMelaiyur (Kaveripattinam)                                       | Construction of R.R stone revetment                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|       11 | Rajendrcholiswara Temple at Ponnamaravathy                                                                                        | Carefully de-plastering and re-plastering the terrace and thirumathil wall including colour toning., Restoration of entrance mandapa including replacing the damaged wooden capital, joist, beams with new teakwood and |

|    |                                                             | relaying the madras terrace as per original and water tightening the terrace.                                                                                            |
|----|-------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 12 | Sivaganga Little Fort enclosing the Great Temple, Thanjavur | Carefully dismantling damaged brick floor and laying new brick floor in the said portion of floor within the courtyard on western side between main shrine and corridor. |

## 2024-25

|   S. No. | Name of Monument                                                                     | Details of major conservation works undertaken                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Narasimhaswami and Ranganathaswami Temples, Namakkal                                 | Removing the existing leaking roof concrete and providing the new lime concrete coarse to arrest the leaking                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|        2 | Erumbeswara Temple, Thiruverumbur                                                    | Brick work, plastering work, stucco work-work completed Deplastering and plastering the Prahara coping wall at entrance steps and top of the main temple. Water tightening the terrace, pointing, painting the wooden doors, painting MS grills                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
|        3 | Whole of the Siva Temple and the inscribed stone in the front mandapam, Ammankurichi | Carefully dismantling and removing the damaged weathering course , Providing water tightening by providing brick jelly, concrete , plastering on top ,Disposal of accumulated debris/earth around the monument including disposal of debris far away from the monument, Mending and strengthening the broken / worn out panel of stucco figures in the vimana of Main shrine with necessary binding materials and finishing the surface, Lime pinning/ Toning up the Vimana surface using colouring materials with jaggery and galnut etc. complete |
|        4 | Rock-cut Vishnu Temple - (Sathyamurti shrine), Tirumayam                             | Carefully dismantling and removing the damaged weathering course, Providing water tightening by providing brick jelly concrete and plastering on top with lime mortar 1:1:1(,Lime pinning/Toning vimana surface with two coats, Restoration of temple type door by the way of providing the key cups, Mending and strengthening the broken / worn out panel of stucco figures in the vimana of with necessary binding materials and finishing the surface                                                                                           |
|        5 | Rock-cut Siva Temple (Sathyyagiriswara shrine), Tirumayam                            | Carefully dismantling and removing the damaged weathering course, Providing water tightening by providing brick jelly concrete, Disposal of accumulated debris/earth around the monument, Mending and strengthening the broken / worn out panel of stucco figures in the vimana of Main shrine with necessary binding materials, Lime pinning/Toning vimana surface with two coats after roughly cleaning the old surface                                                                                                                           |
|        6 | Sugrisveswara Temple, Sircarperiyapalayam                                            | i. Pointing the stone joints, ii. De-plastering the coping of damaged/dead lime plaster to the sub shrines, iii.Water tightening to the main shrine etc.,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           |

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