The temples in Nashik, particularly along the banks of river Godavari are being spruced up for the Kumbh Mela.
Earlier, on several occasions, these temples have been painted with oil paint. The paint has faded out and there are patches at several places. Stones of some temples are loosening and falling off.
Considering that these temples are the living history of the city and heritage structures, architects had opposed painting these temples. They had given a memorandum to the guardian minister Girish Mahajan in this regard who agreed that the structures should be preserved.
Architects oppose painting temples: “These are heritage structures and witness to time and history. Stone is beautiful in itself and does not need to be painted. We need to preserve our heritage particularly when the international audience will be watching us during the Kumbh Mela,” opined architect Suvarna Bhattad, who led the delegation of the Indian Institute of Architects in voicing their objection to painting of the temples.
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has given this task to Madhoor Buildwell Pvt Ltd, a real estate firm, which has earlier restored the famous Kalaram temple and the Ganga Godavari temple.
Pradipbhai Patel, MD, Madhoor Buildwell Pvt Ltd, said, “We have identified 14 temples that need cleaning and restoration. We shall try and complete the work as early as possible. However, considering that rains have started and there is rush on the river bank during the day hours, we are increasing our work force to 150 to complete the task.”
The temple walls are being covered with a mixture of caustic soda, vinegar and tipol using a brush to remove the paint, dirt, mud, soot and other such layers. The surface will then be washed.
At places where there are gaps in the stones, they are to be filled a mixture of sodium penta chloride to strengthen the stone walls and then a layer of natural non chemical coating is given to protect the stone from wind and rain. New stones will be fitted where restoration is necessary.