Construction of North Tower (gopuram) of Sri Ramanathasamy temple in Rameswaram, progress of which was stalled for around six years, began on Friday with the sponsorship of Coimbatore-based Karpagam Trust.
The construction was originally launched by Sri Jayendra Saraswathi of Kanchi Sankara Mutt.
However, the work was stopped abruptly after a case was registered against him.
It has been estimated that it will cost Rs.1.8 crore. The height of the tower will be 91 feet.
A sum of Rs.1 crore will be spent for constructing 26 feet “kalkaram.”
The other part of the tower would be constructed on kalkaram.
The Joint Commissioner, Ilango, Chairman, Karpagam Trust, Vasanthakumar, were among those took part in the inaugural ceremony.
Mr. Ilango told The Hindu that it was expected that the work would be completed within two years. The tower would have five stages.
The donor had chosen Muthaiah ‘sthapathy' for the construction work.
In order to make the tower strong in all aspects, it was decided to use black stones.
Hence, the existing brick work for about four feet would be removed.
The stones had been brought from Bangalore with specific design.
The dressing work of the black stones had been completed in Chennai and Amaravathi Pudur near Karaikudi.
