IIT-M team inspects stability of Ramanathaswamy temple

Following the accidents in the Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy temple and Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, the Hindu Religious an Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has expedited inspection in other ancient temples across the state. 

The expert team comprising two women officials — Dr Tamali and Karpagam — of the rank of Senior Project Officers and attached to the National Centre for Safety of Heritage Structures at IIT-Madras, visited the second pragaram (circumambulation corridor), which is on the northern side of the temple. As the 25 pillars of the second pragaram are constructed with coral stones, the team inspected the stability of the pillars and the roof. Also, the age of the second pragaram is 700 years and the other parts of the temple, constructed later, were built with boulders. The inspection was carried out throughout the day. 

On the sidelines of the exercise, Tamali said that expert teams from IITs are inspecting all Hindu temples across Asia. The teams from IIT-Madras are inspecting temples in Tamil Nadu regarding the safety and stability of the structures. A report would be submitted to the HR&CE Department, said Tamali. Temple officials and those from the HR&CE Department were also present during the inspection.