Source: beta.thehindu.com
(The deep vertical fissures that developed on the main tower (rajagopuram) of Sri Kalahasteeswaraswamy temple in Srikalahasti. (At Right) Locals gather to take a look at the collapsed tower. Photo: KV Poornachandra Kumar)
TIRUPATI, INDIA : The elegant-looking Srikalahastiswaraswamy rajagopuram is now a heap of rubble. A thin crack that developed 25 years ago eventually worsened into a deep vertical fissure right on its face and ended up in the collapse of the exquisite gopuram during the night. The magnificent 15th-century tower, built by Vijayanagara King Srikrishnadevaraya in commemoration of his visit to the shrine after triumphing over his rivals, collapsed even as the emperor’s 500th coronation ceremony is being celebrated by the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with pomp.Endowments Commissioner J.S.V. Prasad denied that there was complacency on the part of the department and asserted that a new rajagopuram would be put in place by December, 2011. He said a committee of engineers, sthapathis and officials would soon land at the site to work out the modalities of erecting the new tower. Since the main entry to the shrine remains blocked following the collapse of the tower, authorities have opened the western gopuram doors for pilgrims.
