ASI experts check on 41 icons in Big Temple

A 10-member team of ASI experts is involved in inspecting the 41 ancient icons to ascertain the material used for making them, whether they are made of bronze, brass or other alloys. The inspections were carried out following allegations that some of the antique icons in the temple might have been replaced with lookalike new ones in the later period. 

The inspection was carried out in the mandapam (hall) adjoining the Subramanyar shrine. The inspection that commenced at around 8.30 am lasted till 2 pm.

Earlier, the idols kept at the Artha Mandapam were taken out to the hall. The measurements, materials and antiquity of the idols were inspected sources said. A large contingent of idol wing police was deployed at the inspection site.

Sources said that the ASI officials had used XRF analyser for the first time to inspect the metals used in the idols. They also involved the analytical test applying nano technology. However, the officials were tightlipped about the results.

It may be noted that the ASI experts’ team led by South Zone Director M Nambirajan and idol wing police led by ADSP Rajaraman who went into the Big Temple in the afternoon on Thursday, took as many as 41 idols and inspected their genuineness based on the documents. The team inspected the measurement of those 41 idols and inspected whether they were made of pure panchaloka.