Amidst the chanting of hymns by Vedic scholars and ‘archaka swamis', the foundation was laid for the construction of a new temple here at around 7.35 a.m. on Friday.
Project cost
Executive Officer and Joint Commissioner of Endowments Ramachandra Mohan conducted the proceedings in the presence of Sadguru Sivananda Murthy of Bhimili and Swami Sachidananda Saraswati of Tapovanam.
The 120-year-old temple was partially damaged in 1970 when a thunderbolt hit the temple tower and other structures.
After consulting various sections of people, the authorities finally took a decision on February 16 to reconstruct the temple with Rs.4 crore.
Accordingly, the darshan of the main deities was stopped from that day and arrangements were made for darshan of the processional deities.
Demolition works commenced on March 3. The first phase of the construction was completed by March 20. Demolition of the sanctum sanctorum was completed by April 15.
Mr. Ramachandra Mohan said that the new temple would have walls of 43.4-ft length and 26.8-ft width. The height of the ‘galigopuram' would be 50-ft. The height of ‘yantralayam' would be 10.5-ft and that of the main temple 11-ft.
If everything goes in a planned way, the construction works will be completed by November this year or may extend up to February next year.
