The project to renovate Valluvar Kottam, one of the city’s popular monuments dedicated to Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar, is nearing completion. It will be opened to public by early March.
The Public Works Department (PWD) is giving the finishing touches to the edifice, spread over five acres in the heart of the city.
PWD officials said that nearly 90% of the ₹80 crorework had been completed, and Stapathiworks were in the final stage.
The monument has undergone a structural revamp to attract more visitors once inaugurated.
The renovated structure will have an air-conditioned auditorium, capable of accommodating nearly 1,600 people, on the ground floor. It will also have another seminar hall with a library comprising over 1,000 books.
“Work is in progress to spruce up the Kural Manimadam on the first floor that has 1,330 verses of the Tirukkural engraved on stones designed to look like the pages of a book. We are fixing 133 paintings relevant to the Thirukkural verses,” said an official.
Masons from Kanniyakumari and Nagercoil, who specialise in temple architecture, are involved in enhancing the facade and columns with intricate artworks. The terrace, leading to the 106-ft. stone chariot, has been renovated with ornamental pillars and lighting, making it an ideal space for cultural events. A large and vibrant painting of Thiruvalluvar will welcome visitors to the terrace.
Officials said equipment for the monument’s 20-minute ‘sound and light show’ was being calibrated.
Work on a new cafeteria, a multi-level car parking, children’s play area and elevators, to enable senior citizens and persons with disabilities to climb to the top of the chariot, are in progress.
Published – February 06, 2025 01:03 am IST