Kerala: Temple's 'iridium' dome elicits interest

Alappuzha, Nov 5: Scores of people are thronging the Pandanad Sree Kumaramangalam Subramanya Swami Temple to see its dome, which supposedly contained the precious metal 'iridium.' The village temple at Chengannur in this district was catapulted into fame as some foreign businessmen made trade enquiries to buy the dome offering crores of rupees.

Temple sources said ''the foreign traders informed the temple authorities that they had satellite pictures revealing that the dome had special powers and were spreading around the temple.'' The temple authorities had decided to seek the advice of the Atomic Commission to check whether the dome contained 'iridium.' The temple, supposed to be 2,000 years old, had been constructed in a particular style and its sanctum sanctorum was made of stone and wood, and roofed with copper plates.

The local people are keeping vigil over the temple and its dome to thwart any possible theft.

UNI