- Methan mani
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The Methan Mani or clock tower in January, 2010
The Methan mani or clock tower stands next to the Padmanabha Swamy Temple, East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram in India. It is a historic landmark which is constructed with a highly complex pulley system. The clock has a unique appearance. Above the dial is the face of a bearded man with two rams on the side of his cheeks. When the clock strikes, the rams hit against the cheeks of the man.
Contents
Location
The "Methan mani" or clock tower is located near the Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram.[1] To see it, one has to stand before the temple entrance and look in the opposite direction of the Padmatheertha pond. It is on the top of the Old Fort Palace.
History
It is said to have been installed in the 1840s during the reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma. Records show that two clockwork mechanisms were purchased by the State of Travancore from Chennai. One was installed at Trivandrum, the other at Padmanabhapuram Palace, in Tamil Nadu district. Another school of thought says that it was erected to symbolize the victory of Travancore over Tipu Sultan.
Present
The clock still works perfectly, and strikes each hour in a day. The clock has also taken a cyber incarnation through the software developed by the Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (CDIT). The Methan Mani remains a popular landmark in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. The chimes are audible around the locality.
References
- ^ Venugopal, P. (2004-11-01). "'Methan Mani' goes cyber". Thiruvananthapuram: The Hindu. http://www.hindu.com/lf/2004/11/01/stories/2004110101450200.htm. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
Categories:- Buildings and structures in Thiruvananthapuram
- Clock towers in India
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