The ‘Kanda Sashti yaga salai’ – a stone-pillared-mandapam in the outer prakaram near the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Saptharisheeswarar temple in Lalgudi will be renovated at an expenditure of Rs. 33.70 lakh.
The renovation of the yaga salai has become inevitable as the structure had got weakened following a massive fire accident at the temple six months ago. “The flames had caused extensive damage to the walls and even the stone pillars, rendering it unsafe. Hence, the entire mandapam has been closed using tin sheets so that devotees do not enter into it,” S. Manoharan, Executive Officer of the temple told ‘The Hindu’.
He said that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments had attached priority to the execution of the work and sanction had been released by mobilising funds from two major temples in the district. A sum of Rs. 15 lakh has been procured from Sri Mathurakali Amman temple in Siruvachur, Rs. 6.70 lakh from Sri Brahmmapuriswarar temple in Tirupattur while the balance Rs. 12 lakh has been contributed by the HR and CE department, he said.
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The structure is so weak that even a minor vibration is likely to cause harm. “The temple bell is not used during the rituals, as the sound waves are likely to further weaken the structural stability,” he added.
He said that the work would be executed with an eye on safety.
The work would commence shortly. As the fire had damaged a good part of electrical circuit, inverter is used for supplying power.
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“We use minimum electrical bulbs and tube-lights,” he said.
The renovation of the ‘yagasalai’ will mark the inauguration of the renovation of the temple for which ‘balayanam’ had been performed.