A High Court-appointed expert committee has formally reported significant damage to the moolavigraham, the principal deity at the ancient Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple. The idol, which is uniquely crafted from an indigenous, concrete-like mixture known as ‘kadusharkarayogam’, is suffering from wear and tear primarily due to environmental factors and regular adorning practices.
Damages Detailed by the Panel
The damage is extensive and affects several crucial parts of the revered deity, which depicts Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha (the serpent). Key areas identified for repair include:
- The right chin and foot finger of the main idol.
- The reinforcement structure connecting the idol to the serpent Anantha.
- Wear and tear on the lotus flower emerging from the idol’s navel, as well as the accompanying idol of Lord Brahma atop the flower.
- Damage to the idol’s ‘alankarangal’ (decorations) such as the ‘tholvala’, ‘kaivala’, ‘poonool’, and earrings.
- The use of nails to affix golden and silver robes has also been cited as a cause of physical damage.
The expert committee members include respected temple Thantris: Tharananellor Satheesan Namboodiripad, Kanippayyoor Krishnan Namboodiri, Pazhangaparambu Unnikrishnan Namboodiri, and Cheruvalli Easwaran Namboodiri.
Climate Change and Devotee Footfall Cited
According to Thantri Satheesan Namboodiripad, climatic changes are a major contributor to the deterioration. “A moderate climate is required for the idol to remain in good condition,” he explained. “Over the years, the temperature has risen. The tremendous increase in the number of devotees has made the sanctum more warmer in recent years.”
The kadusharkarayogam material is highly sensitive to moisture. Because of this, the customary abhishekam (ritualistic bath) is performed on a representative idol. However, the expert noted that the speedy decaying of Tulsi leaves used in daily worship is causing the idol to become wet, which, in turn, affects its texture. “Years ago, the flowers would remain dry until the next morning. But these days they start decomposing soon, maybe due to the climatic changes,” Satheesan added.
The Rare Art of Kadusharkarayogam
The idol’s unique composition, Kadusharkara, is a concrete-like mixture prepared from approximately 48 materials, including small conch shells, herbs, and sand. Idols made from this mixture are prized for their stunning finish compared to those made of metal or stone. Only about fifteen temples in Kerala possess such idols.
The upcoming repair work, which will be entrusted to master craftsmen, is expected to be both expensive and time-consuming. The Thantri stated that sourcing the exact, high-quality materials for preparing the mixture will be a significant challenge, as specific soil qualities have to be procured from distant locations. The preparation involves rigorous processing phases, including grinding and baking the soil in herbal concoctions.
