(An article about the damage inflicted on Thankavur's Big Temple by ASI restoration work;
my information is that the damage is even more severe than
described here. See also
http://janajaati.blogspot.com/2008/08/world-heritage-thanjavur-temple-state.
html for many photos, reference provided by Dr. Kalyanaraman. M.)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Big_temple_inscriptions_damaged/a
rticleshow/3010487.cms

THANJAVUR: Granite pillars containing inscriptions at the 11th century
Brahadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur have suffered serious damage during
restoration and maintenance work by the Archaeological Survey of India.

A visit to the 'Big temple', as it is popularly known, revealed that five
stone pillars, brought down and laid in the open prahara as part of the
restoration work, were found chipped and cracked, and in the case of at
least one pillar, broken.

A portion of one of the pillars was shattered to such an extent that the
inscriptions can no more be read fully or documented. These inscriptions
date back to the reign of Raja Raja Chola I, the pre-eminent king of the
Later Cholas, who conceived and constructed the imposing temple to Lord
Siva.

However, the ASI believes that the damage is not irreversible and the
original structure can be restored. Sathyabhama Badrinath, superintending
archaeologist, Chennai circle, ASI, said the damaged pillars could be mended
and affixed in their respective places. "It will look as original as it used
to be," she said.

The five pillars were in the thiruchutru maaligai (circumambulatory
corridor) in the north of temple. There are over 150 stone inscriptions in
the temple, of which 120 belong to the Chola period between 1000 and 1200
AD.

Experts say the inscriptions have much to say about temple administration of
the era, land grants by the Chola kings, and details of the temple's
jewellery and festivals. And there are nuggets of information, like the one
that points to the existence of a bank in the temple that lent money at an
interest of 12.5%. There are also references to employees, dancers,
musicians and architects.

Declared a world heritage site, the Big Temple stands testimony to the
intricacy and skill of Chola era sculptors and architects. Hundreds of
thousands of people visit the monument from across the world every year.

Experts who have done extensive studies of these inscriptions say the
damaged inscriptions on the pillars in the thiruchutru maaligai refer to
orders issued by Raja Raja Chola to his chief commander Krishna Raman alias
Mummudi Chola Brahmarayan.

It was restoration that was causing more damage to the world heritage site
than aging, they pointed out.