Graphite-laying work at Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple to complete in under four months
Renovation work at the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, involving the installation of graphite flooring, is expected to conclude within four months. The project adheres to Archaeological Survey of India standards to preserve the temple's ancient architecture while improving safety for devotees.
Why it matters
Balancing the preservation of historical heritage with modern safety and accessibility requirements is a significant challenge for cultural site management.
Rapidly progressing graphite-laying work at the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is scheduled for completion in under four months.
Valued at a combined cost of ₹9.20 crore, ongoing projects at the ‘Theertha pathai’ (holy dip area)—budgeted at ₹3.10 crore—and the ‘moondram praharam’—budgeted at ₹6.10 crore—will beautify the temple and ensure safe, non-slippery pathways for the thousands of visiting devotees.
As the previously laid floorings was not as per the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) standards for preserving the temple architecture, a Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department official, said, they mandated changing the material adhering to the primitive architecture of the temple.
He explained that using graphite for the flooring requires additional triple-nosing work to prevent slipping, which naturally extends the timeline.
“The process, which involved three works – excavating the previously laid stones, cushioning and placing new stones – takes a longer period than expected,” they reasoned.
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