The Raja Raja Cholan Park near Big Temple, a world heritage monument at Thanjavur. has been converted as a vehicle parking lot.

Inquiries reveal that the park gates were thrown open for four-wheeler parking from last weekend, as the inflow of tourists to Sri Brahadeeswarar temple, popularly known as Big Temple, had increased due to summer vacation.

As the small vehicle parking lot in front of the monument and at the spacious Thilakar Thidal in the vicinity of the Big Temple remained full almost throughout the day even on weekdays, visitors parked their vehicles wherever they could find space such as on Old Court Road, Srinivasapuram Road, South Rampart area, Goverment Rajah Mirasdar Hospital Road, near the Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Thanjavur Range, and beneath the Membalam (the rail over bridge connecting the old town with the Medical College Road).

In order to prevent traffic congestion on Old Court Road and near Membalam areas, the park had been converted into a ‘temporary parking lot. However, neither the officials of Archaeological Survey of India or the civic body, which maintains the park, were reportedly informed about the temporary arrangement, sources said.

Traffic police personnel near the monument said they were acting on the directions received from their seniors who were keen on ensuring smooth flow of vehicles through the Big Temple Road.