The Hindu : Front Page : Panel for replacing temple pillars

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 20, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Panel for replacing temple pillars

Mohamed Imranullah S.

IN THE WORKS: Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai. — PHOTO: S. JAMES

MADURAI: A high-level expert committee constituted to study and rectify distress in some of the stone pillars, beams and roof slabs of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here has decided to replace some structures with new pillars, stone slabs and so on.

The decision was taken at a recent meeting in Chennai. According to the minutes of the meeting, a copy of which is available with The Hindu , it has also decided to replace the cracked stone beam at the entrance of Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam adjacent to Ashtasakthi Mandapam.

The committee resolved to go ahead with the replacement works pursuant to the tabling of a report on the soil investigations conducted on the temple premises by a private firm. The report had concluded that sandy soil stratum was available in the sub-soil and there would not be any further settlement in the soil.

The new pillars should be identical in design to the distressed pillars. The size and shape of the pillars and beams (to be replaced) should be recorded and photographs taken before commencing the dismantling work, the committee said. Further, the committee resolved to go ahead with the work of removing the weathering course and machine-pressed tiles on the roof to take core samples from `Pavukkal' (stone slabs). The samples would be tested to assess slab strength.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page