History of Indian and Eastern Architecture v1.c19.s11.2

v1.c19.s11.2

² Strictly speaking—the temple that till recently *was* here--for, like Chidambaram and other Saiva temples in southern India, the Nâthukottai Chettis (one of their number having got the management into his hands), have set about demolishing it, and it is reported that already almost the whole of the interior or oldest portions have been pulled down, and are to be replaced by erections in a nondescript style of building. Mr A. R. Gopalaiyar manfully opposed the manager in the Courts, but in vain; they would not interfere with the manager's plans, though he leased out the temple property to his own relatives, or destroyed the statues of former patrons and benefactors of the temple to substitute those of his wealthy caste fellows, that they may have the merits accruing to temple building hereafter.