Guntur, January 22: The state government has withdrawn its earlier decision of demolishing the Rajagopuram of Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Mangalagiri, which is stated to be on the verge of collapse.
Following protests from locals against the move to demolish the ancient structure, the endowments commissioner has directed the temple executive officer to submit proposals for strengthening the existing Rajagopuram.
Temple executive officer Nallakalva Srinivasa Reddy has urged engineering experts of IIT, Chennai, to suggest measures to strengthen the ancient structure. The 11-storey Rajagopuram was built between 1807 and 1809 by Dharanikota zamindar Raja Vasireddy Venkatadrinaidu.
The 49-foot-high Rajagopuram developed cracks on eastern, northern and southern sides in recent years.
When devotees expressed apprehensions over its safety after the collapse of Srikalahasti temple Galigopuram, the government appointed a technical committee to study the strength of Mangalagiri Rajagopuram.
The expert committee inspected the Rajagopuram on June 19, 2010 and suggested measures to strengthen the structure from the basement without dismantling it.
Meanwhile, Asara, a voluntary organisation, filed petition in the district legal services authority challenging the government’s decision to demolish the Rajagopuram.
The court sought an explanation from the endowments officials in this regard. Temple executive officer N Srinivasa Reddy said the engineering experts of IIT, Chennai, would study the strength of the Rajagopuram using a 3D scanner.
Later, they would give suggestions to strengthen the ancient structure.
Engineering experts of IIT, Chennai, to study the strength of Rajagopuram using a 3D scanner.
–Agencies