BJP Kerala chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar seeks Centre’s support to revamp 2,000-year-old temple

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday submitted a comprehensive proposal to Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat for the rejuvenation and modernisation of the historic Thiruvallam Sree Parasurama Swamy Temple here.

The temple is located in the Nemom Assembly constituency, represented by Chandrasekhar.

The proposal seeks improvements to the temple, which, according to him, is more than 2,000 years old. He also sought pilgrim facilities, roads, water bodies and public infrastructure in the surrounding area.

The temple is widely known for Bali Tharpanam, an ancestral ritual, and attracts devotees from across Kerala throughout the year.

Chandrasekhar said the initiative was aimed at ending years of neglect of the temple and its surroundings and ensuring that the heritage site receives the attention and protection it deserves.

Chandrasekhar demanded cleaning and maintenance of the balikkadavu, where devotees perform bali tharpanam, and the Thriveni Sangamam. He also sought cleaning of the Parvathy Puthanar to improve water quality and flow.

Other proposals include periodic desilting of the canal, restoration of existing pumping infrastructure and removal of illegal roadside encroachments and unauthorised constructions affecting public access.

The proposal also seeks the construction of a nadappanthal for devotees, particularly during adverse weather conditions, and the setting up of a temple advisory committee.

Improved resting facilities and basic amenities for pilgrims, adequate staff during evening hours and relocation of existing bathroom facilities from inside the temple premises to a suitable location outside the compound have also been demanded. 

The demands also include dedicated parking facilities, measures to ease traffic congestion around the temple and improved bridge connectivity and traffic infrastructure near the existing bridge.

He also sought high-mast and street lighting along temple access roads and public areas and the re-establishment of a police aid post to strengthen security and public safety.

These works involve several departments, including the Major and Minor Irrigation departments, Travancore Devaswom Board, Revenue and Archaeology departments, Public Works Department, Kerala State Electricity Board and Kerala Police.

"This is not merely a temporary repair. It is an effort to ensure that one of Kerala’s most sacred pilgrimage centres receives the attention, protection and national-level importance it deserves," Chandrasekhar said in the statement.