The conservation of the 11th c. CE Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple in Thukkachi, Tamil Nadu was recently selected for the 2024 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction for Heritage Conservation among 52 projects received from the Asia-Pacific Region by UNESCO, Bangkok.
In his Talk, "Challenges in Structural Conservation of Temples: Restoration of Sri Abathsahayeswarar Temple, Thukkachi", Dr Arun Menon of IIT Madras will take us through the experience of the team in the conservation of this temple that was in a dilapidated state for over six decades.
He will also touch upon the ongoing unique conservation project involving the completion of a seven-tiered incomplete historical Rajagopuram at Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple in Thiruvellarai near Samayapuram in Trichy District. These projects highlight the role of engineering and science in preserving the rich and living cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu.
The online Talk in English is at 5.30 pm IST on Saturday, December 6, 2025.
About The Speaker:
Arun Menon, Full Professor of Structural Engineering at IIT Madras, holds a first degree in architecture, and PhD in earthquake engineering from University of Pavia, Italy. His research interests are in structural aspects of historical constructions, earthquake behaviour of historical masonry structures and earthquake-resistant modern structural masonry.
He currently coordinates the activities of National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures (NCSHS), a Ministry of Education (Govt. of India)-supported research centre at IIT Madras.
He has been an Expert Member on the International Coordinating Committee (BICC) for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bagan, Myanmar, and currently is a Member, Expert Advisory Group to International Conservation Committee (ICC) for Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage Site in Laos PDR. He has been involved in conservation projects in India (Rashtrapati Bhawan, IIM Ahmedabad, Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Konark Sun Temple), Bhutan (Tango Monastery, Wangdue Phodrong Dzong), Myanmar (UNESCO World Heritage Site: Bagan), The Philippines (San Sebastian Basilica, Manila) and Somalia (The Secondo Lido, Mogadishu).
Arun Menon is also active in national and international technical code committees such as Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures (RILEM), Paris and ISCARSAH of International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS, an advisory body of UNESCO).
