The Madras High Court has intervened to safeguard the historical heritage of Namakkal by directing the district administration to take immediate action to preserve the Kottaianna Swamy Temple and a fort located at Paramathi. Believed to have been constructed between 1400 CE and 1600 CE, these monuments hold immense cultural and historical significance.
The directive comes from Justice S M Subramaniam, who emphasized the urgency of protecting these ancient structures. As the fort is situated on private land, the court has instructed the Namakkal collector to facilitate the acquisition of the land and transfer it to the archaeology department within a stipulated period of six months.
Furthermore, the court has mandated the archaeology department to initiate necessary measures to safeguard not only the temple and fort but also the surrounding monuments, culverts, and sculptures discovered in the vicinity.
The order stemmed from a petition filed by C Rasu, who had previously approached the district administration urging them to take action to preserve these historical treasures. Failing to elicit a response, Rasu resorted to legal recourse by approaching the high court.
During the hearing, the court directed the archaeology department to conduct a thorough inspection of the site and submit a comprehensive report. The department’s findings revealed that while the temple falls under the administration of the HR&CE department (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department), the fort and other structures are situated on privately owned land.
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About HR&CE :
(The administration of temples in Tamil Nadu is overseen and regulated by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, a governmental body. Governed by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959, this department is responsible for the management of a vast network of religious institutions. This includes 36,425 temples, 56 mathas or religious orders (along with 47 temples associated with these mathas), 1,721 specific endowments, and 189 trusts.)
Suggesting a course of action, the department proposed declaring the fort and its walls as protected monuments, subject to obtaining consent from the landowners. It also recommended that the district administration implement measures to ensure the adequate protection of the fort.
In light of these submissions, the court issued the necessary directives and disposed of the plea, underscoring the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
This landmark decision not only highlights the judiciary’s commitment to heritage conservation but also emphasizes the collaborative efforts needed between government bodies and citizens to protect our historical legacy. As Namakkal’s rich history stands on the brink of preservation, this ruling serves as a testament to the enduring value of our past.
