RAMESWARAM (TN) Mar 21: Experts from Auroville in Puducherry have expressed a desire to renovate the 150-year-old Mahabeerchatram Inn here, constructed by a Jain saint, and convert it to the museum it used to be before it was shifted from this town more than two decades ago.
District Collector Nandhakumar who was impressed by the beauty of the inn, constructed for the benefit of pilgrims visiting this temple town, opined that it should be renovated and that the museum which was shifted from this town to Ramanathapuram in 1993 be brought back here.
The inn has not been in use since 1983.
Officials said pilgrims used to stay in the inn as it was near the Railway station.
Similar buildings constructed in Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are well maintained while there were encroachments around the one in Tamil Nadu.
Asaithambi, one of the experts from Auroville, who came here to inspect the inn on the request of officials, said it could be restored to its original glory and that they were ready to offer their services in this regard.
Auroville (city of dawn) is an international cultural township near Puducherry, dedicated to the ideal of human unity based on the vision of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.
There are a number of people there who are experts in restoring heritage buildings.
The Collector said he was keen to shift the museum back to this building to benefit pilgrims from all over India and help increase tourist flow.
He said masons in Ramanathapuram district have the skill to assist in restoring the building.
Officials said encroachments around the building would be removed and it would be converted into a national attraction again. (PTI)
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