Kancheepuram waits to get back on global tourism map

11 Temples From District On Unesco’s Tentative List Of World Heritage Sites Shows Region’s Potential

Kancheepuram waits to get back on global tourism map

Yogesh.Kabirdoss@timesgroup.com

26.05.2021

Till a decade ago, a visit to Chennai meant a oneday tour package through the temple town of Kancheepuram and a pit-stop at Mamallapuram to soak in the architecture and culture of the region. But over the years, the lack of promotion and infrastructure to draw tourists pushed Kancheepuram behind as the Shore Temple and Brihadeeshwarar temple at Thanjavur began to be considered more accessible.

Today the district remains famous as a pilgrimage site but largely in the southern part of the country. Navigating through the town’s narrow bylanes full of colour and flavours need patience and determination as most temples do not have an approach road. Many of the temples are not maintained properly and hardly provide information to tourists unfamiliar with Tamil culture. The recent announcement of 11 ancient temples in Kancheepuram making it to the Unesco’s tentative list of world heritage sites opens an avenue for the region to be back on the tourism map. This will ensure better care of the structures as the final honour brings with it international recognition.

Built by the Pallavas and Cholas between AD700 and AD1200 the 11 temples that were submitted by the Union culture ministry to Unesco on April 13 are: Kailasanathar, Piravatneswara, Iravathanesvara, Parameswara Vinnagaram Vaikunta Perumal, Muktesvara, Arulala or Varadharaja Perumal, Ekambaresvara (Thirukachiekambam), Jvaraharesvara, Pandava Dootha Perumal, Yathothkari Perumal and Ulagalanda Perumal.

After inclusion on the tentative list, the final declaration as a world heritage site can take years as Unesco’s World Heritage Committee studies the dossiers presented on the sites and makes detailed inspections before taking a decision. But being on the list puts focus on the potential of the site. Approved Tour Guides Association president P Asoka says the world heritage tag for temples can help Kancheepuram regain its tourism momentum. “Many international travellers explore world heritage sites of every country. The move will mean more visibility, better upkeep and cleanliness around the world heritage sites. It will also help in creating infrastructure such as parking lots and toilets, facilities that are essential to tourists,” he says.

While six of the 11 temples on the list are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), five are under the state’s Hindu religious and charitable endowments department. According to ASI sources, ASI will play a key in conservation and renovation of world heritage sites. “Restoration works cannot take place without the consent of the high level committee or ASI at world heritage sites,” an official said.

So far the state has four temple complexes that are Unesco world heritage sites — the monuments at Mamallapuram, the Brihadeeshwara temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Brihadeeshwara temple at Jayankondam, and the Airavatheeswara temple at Darasuram. Outside the temple too regulations are put in place. R Komagan, chairman of Gangaikondacholapuram Development Council, said areas around the 11 Kancheepuram temples will come under the regulations that apply to ASI and state government’s monuments, after they are declared world heritage sites. There will be no threat to the existing buildings, but construction of new structures will be regulated. “This is to maintain the ambience and environment around the sites. Priority would be given for funding as well, as they attract foreign tourists,” he says.

Tamil Nadu Tour Travel and Hospitality Association president V K T Balan says such a distinction comes as a boon for the local economy, particularly to the hospitality sector, as more hotels come up to cater to visitors. The Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam, the Chettinad village clusters and the Padmanabhapuram palace in Kanyakumari are on the tentative list since 2014.

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