BHEL repairs 500-yr-old temple bell

Describing the complex repair welding process, R Easwaran, General Manager, WRI and Labs, BHEL Tiruchy, said that the bell made of brass weighing over 35 kg and about 400 mm in height, had been out of use for the past four years.

 It had developed a large crack of over 120 mm in length running through the thickness due to prolonged use and needed repair. A special fixture and heating burner were developed and the temple bell was welded at a controlled temperature using special consumables and flux. The entire welding which took over four hours was done by the young welders of WRI, who have been mentored for this task by welders with rich experience in such intricate welding. 

S Gopinath, Executive Director, BHEL, Tiruchy, said that WRI had remained innovative in its efforts and had also been able to win the Skoch BSE Order of Merit – 2016, which would be presented in Mumbai next week. He also appreciated the team work of the employees. BHEL has so far repaired and re-conditioned over fifty such bells belonging to various temples and churches in Tamil Nadu, including one at the Rockfort temple.