ASI takeover will protect TN temple: Jagmohan

Union Minister for Tourism & Culture Jagmohan has said he is ready to talk to Tamil Nadu CM J. Jayalalithaa on the takeover of the Arunchaleswarar temple in Thiruvannamalai by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

The Tamil Nadu government had yesterday said it will file a writ petition in the Madras High Court against the ASI notification. Jagmohan said the ASI issued a notification to improve the conditions in and around the temple, keeping the interests of the devotees in mind. He claimed the decision was earlier welcomed by TN officials.

Jagmohan said the ASI could give a boost to tourism in the area as the temple would be listed as a protected monument. Encroachments on the surrounding hill will be removed and no one would be allowed to damage the premises.