Neglect has taken a heavy toll on the 1,300-year-old Pallava period paintings at Talagirishwara temple at Panamalai in Villupuram district. The panel depicting the dance of Lord Shiva has almost faded away and only the face of goddess Parvathi and a few patches remain now.
“When I visited the temple in 2017, I could figure out the faces in the paintings. Now they are not visible and what remains there is only patches of colour. Since the temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), I have requested the officials to restore them,” said D. Ravikumar, Villupuram Lok Sabha member.
The temple was constructed by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II, popularly known as Rajasimha. Mr. Ravikumar said it was a living temple and a lot of devotees were visiting it on a daily basis. “The paintings bear a close resemblance to the paintings in Ajantha and Chithannavasal,” he added. .
