Part of Srirangam Temple rampart collapses

Srirangam, June 8 (UNI) A portion of rampart of the ancient Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple here, the first and foremost among the 108 Divyadesams, collapsed recently causing concern to historians and devotees.

The agitated art lovers attributed the damage to the failure on the part of the officials in safeguarding the historical monument.

The 20-feet high rampart, constructed in the 17th century with huge stones, was not maintained well and trees had grown out of the crevices on the wall, posing a major threat to it.

A portion of the rampart on the Outer Prakara (sixth prakara wall) collapsed a couple of days ago and neither the temple administration nor the revenue officials visited the site and took any steps to restore it, the locals alleged.

A large portion of the rampart, which crumbled a few years ago, still remains unrepaired.

When contacted by UNI, the temple authorities said they were now assessing the damages caused to the rampart and efforts would be taken to repair it.

Due to the alleged 'slackness' of the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) authorities, while carrying out the Underground Drainage Works (UGD), an ancient 'Mandapam' adjoining the East Gate Gopuram (Temple Tower) of the temple had collapsed on September 20, 2006.

UNI