A 700-year-old seashore temple, which has rare Chinese architecture, is all set to regain its past-glory at Tarangambadi in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu.
The Hindu Religious and Endowments Board (HR&CE) here has started an extensive renovation work of the historic Masilla Nathar temple which was severely damaged by frequent sea tides and the Tsunami in 2004.
Board sources said the work is part of their mission to renovate and protect historical Hindu monuments in the area.
Based on a recent feasibility study, effective methods to safeguard the structure from sea erosion would be taken up in the first phase.
One of the rare seashore temples in India which has Chinese architecture, Masilla Nathar temple was built in 1305 AD by the King Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan.
An architectural marvel great elegance and constructional peculiarities, the temple has five-tired Rajagopuram, considered to have been built in accordance with Chinese model.
The temple was a huge structure once but has been reduced to mere heaps of granites due to the lash of sea tides and climatic changes.
Considering its pathetic condition HR&CE decided to renovate the temple last year with fund of Rs 1.08 crore allotted by 12h finance commission for restoration of historic temples.
The works were expected to complete with the end of this month, sources said.