Replace missing, damaged idols of Ashta Dik Balakas in Big Temple: HC
Madurai: Madras high court has directed the authorities to take steps to install and replace missing and damaged idols of Ashta Dik Balakas at Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur district within 12 months. A division bench of Justices C V Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel observed that Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by King Raja Raja Cholan I more than 1,000 years ago, had separate and distinct shrines with vimanas for the eight Dik Balakas to guard the eight directions. Despite celebrating 1,000 years of existence, and kumbabishekams performed, emptiness prevails in the eight corners of the temple, the judges said. The preliminary work in compliance of the direction issued should commence within three months and the installation of the missing idols and replacement of the damaged idols should be done within 12 months from this date, the judges directed and disposed of the petitions.
The court was hearing a batch of public interest litigations seeking a direction in this regard. The guardian deities had also been consecrated and installed. However, over the passage of time, the deities went either missing or were damaged. The Gods, who guard the directions have been left astray, neglected, forgotten, damaged, ignored and missing. This does not bode well for the temple. The presiding deities of the eight directions should be installed in their rightful and lawful places. Hence, the judges directed Thanjavur district collector, joint commissioner, HR and CE department, Thanjavur, the hereditary trustee, Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam, the assistant superintending archaeologist, ASI, Trichy Circle, Trichy together to take immediate steps to replace the damaged idols of Agni (South East Sannithi), Varunan (West Sannithi), Vayu ( North West Sannithi) and Esanar (North East Sannithi) and install the missing idols of Indiran (East Sannithi), Yaman (South Sannithi), Nirriti (South West Sannithi) and Kuberan (North Sannithi). The officials aforementioned may even call for fresh opinion from experts, Pandits and Sthapathis regarding implementation of the direction issued.