The over-two-centuries-old Hanuman Temple in the heart of the Connaught Place business centre is set to get a “slick” makeover for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
NEW DELHI: The over-two-centuries-old Hanuman Temple in the heart of the Connaught Place business centre is set to get a “slick” makeover for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Though the complex is a hub of mehendiwalas and astrologers – who peek into the lives of many – experts could not predict the recent decision to polish it. This is for the first time since it was built in 1724 that the temple complex is being redesigned.
The structure of the 284-year-old temple would remain the same, but the complex would have a multi-level parking system and a special place for the popular mehendiwalas from Rajasthan and the astrologers, who have been fixing marriage-related problems of many for generations.
“We are aware of the facelift and happy that we will get a better place to exhibit our art. The government has finally decided to take care of this old complex,” Rajeshwar Misra, a practising astrologer at the temple complex for many generations, said.
Temple priest Ramashreya said, “The paintings on its dwar tell the story of Ramayan. For all these years, we have protected the paintings. The temple has a crescent on it, which is why it survived the many invaders from central Asia.”
Although the budget is shoestring at Rs4.5 crore, the temple complex will have better marble flooring and a plush seating arrangement for women. With over a 1,000 devotees visiting every day, the complex is also facing a severe parking space crunch. “We have decided to build a multi-level parking complex for the convenience of the devotees,” said a New Delhi Municipal Council official.
v_gyan@dnaindia.net
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