100-pillar-mandapam found in Srirangam temple

To be used during Krishna Jayanthi after three decades

Restored: A view of the 100-pillar-mandapam at Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam.

Temple authorities have stumbled upon a 100-pillar mandapam in Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam while shifting the ‘prasadam stall’ from Surya Pushkarni area to the old annadhana koodam.

“We never knew that the ‘prasadam stall’ was all along blocking a 100-pillar mandapam. Although the stall appeared to occupy a small area, the kitchen and other raw materials such as firewood had been kept behind a sprawling mandapam which was not visible at once. The total area of the 100-pillar-mandapam is about 11,900 square feet,” an official told The Hindu .

“The entire area has been given a facelift and the mandapam will be used during Sri Krishna Jayanthi when Namperumal is brought from the sanctum sanctorum. The old practice will be restored from the forthcoming Sri Krishna Jayanthi festival after a gap of three decades,” the official said.