The Veera Vasantha Rayar Mandapam at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is being assessed by structural engineers in order to bring it back to its original form at the earliest, an official from the temple administration said here on Sunday.
A fire broke out on February 2 at the eastern entrance of the temple. An engineer from the team said that five to six pillars were completely destroyed. The restoration work would be focussed on this zone, he said.
The ceiling too suffered considerable damage. Much of the mandapam has suffered cracks. Support has been provided to other pillars on the premises. A fire and rescue team is on standby as a precautionary measure, another official said.
The mandapam is a seminal pathway that leads to the famed 1000-pillar hall. A total of 41 shops selling puja articles, plastic items and books were located in this space. Traders whose shops have not been affected by the fire are clearing out from the eastern portion of the temple.
The cause of the fire and the total amount of loss are still unknown.
