Thiruvanjoor: The Subramanya Swami Temple here was once known for its frescoes too. However, these wall paintings depicting several tales from the ancient Indian epics dimmed over the years owing to the ravages of time. These frescoes are now getting a new lease of life, courtesy Kodungur native Madhusudhan. The work will be complete in a year.
The new paintings will have several unique attributes. They will be based on the Skanda Purana, a large collection of ancient Saivite literature. This is perhaps for the first time wall paintings will be covering the entire Skanda Purana.
In the days of yore, paintings were done using the traditional mix of neelayamari (indigo), eravikkara (herbal medicine) and kummayam (lime). Since that could be a costly affair, acrylic colours are used for the paintings.
Madhusudhan's work begins with paintings on Lord Ganapati and will be based on the Dhyana Shlokas.
The renovation work has been initiated due to the efforts of chief priest Harishankaran Namboodiri. The work is being carried out with the support of devotees and with the permission of the temple administration council, he said.
Skanda Purana is the largest of all the Puranas. It primarily tells about the escapades of Kartikeya, a son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Skanda Purana texts are classified into six samhitas, each having several khandas.
