08-22-2007, 11:30 AM
<span style='color:red'>Lightning damages Mylai rajagopuram</span>
Wednesday August 22 2007 10:32 IST
CHENNAI: A portion of the yazhiimage on the left side of the rajagopuram of the famed Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore here was damaged on Tuesday evening in a powerful lightning strike.
Eyewitnesses said the lightning struck around 6 p.m. when the city received heavy showers. A girl and two others sustained minor injuries when the damaged portion of yazhi and two of the suthais(divine images) fell on them. Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was informed of the incident.
As word spread, devotees thronged the temple in large numbers to see the damaged tower. Some of them believed it to be a bad omen. To ward off evil, the temple priest performed parihara pujas to the presiding deity and routine rituals followed till the closing time of the temple. Priests would perform balalayam in a few days time.
Joint Commissioner of HR&CE P Dhanapal and Temple Executive Officer M Devendran inspected the scene. Devendran said the damage was minimal as lightning conductor was installed on the tower. Sculptors would assess the damage on Wednesday and carry out repair works.
This is the second incident in which the rajagopuram of a famed temple has been damaged in recent times.
A fortnight ago, the kalasam atop the rajagopuram of Sri Kumbeswarar temple in Kumbakonam was damaged due to climatic change.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?I...Chennai&rLink=0
Wednesday August 22 2007 10:32 IST
CHENNAI: A portion of the yazhiimage on the left side of the rajagopuram of the famed Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple in Mylapore here was damaged on Tuesday evening in a powerful lightning strike.
Eyewitnesses said the lightning struck around 6 p.m. when the city received heavy showers. A girl and two others sustained minor injuries when the damaged portion of yazhi and two of the suthais(divine images) fell on them. Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was informed of the incident.
As word spread, devotees thronged the temple in large numbers to see the damaged tower. Some of them believed it to be a bad omen. To ward off evil, the temple priest performed parihara pujas to the presiding deity and routine rituals followed till the closing time of the temple. Priests would perform balalayam in a few days time.
Joint Commissioner of HR&CE P Dhanapal and Temple Executive Officer M Devendran inspected the scene. Devendran said the damage was minimal as lightning conductor was installed on the tower. Sculptors would assess the damage on Wednesday and carry out repair works.
This is the second incident in which the rajagopuram of a famed temple has been damaged in recent times.
A fortnight ago, the kalasam atop the rajagopuram of Sri Kumbeswarar temple in Kumbakonam was damaged due to climatic change.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?I...Chennai&rLink=0