A new lightning conductor will be installed at the Raja Rajan gopuram of the Big Temple as a precautionary measure, according to a press release issued here by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which maintains the temple.
Already the temple has lightning conductors on the main 212-foot ‘Vimana' and ‘Keralandhagan Gopuram' at the entrance.
The announcement of installing a new lightning conductor on Raja Rajan gopuram comes in the wake of the lightning strike on September 30. The ASI report on the strike said that lightning struck the wall of mahamandapam on the north eastern side of the temple.
The wall was slightly damaged and a small patch of lime mortar peeled off. Adequate precautionary measures have been taken by installing lightning conductors on the ‘Vimana' and ‘Keralandhagan Gopuram.' As another precautionary measure a lightning conductor will be installed on Raja Rajan Gopuram at the entrance, said Satyabama Bhadrinath, Superintending Archaeologist, ASI, Chennai, in the release issued on Monday.