Gopuram of Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh Collapses

The Gopuram on the northern side of Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh collapsed at 2:20 PM on October 4, 2012. The tower was more than 500 years old and was 100 meter in height and was built of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Dedicated to Hindu God Shiva, Srisailam Temple is also known as Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple. It is one among the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples.

Times of Indiareports 

The gopuram on the northern side, believed to have been built by King Shivaji, served as one of the main entrances to the Sri Bhraramba Mallikharjuna Swamy temple. It developed cracks showing stress and the wood used in it had decayed long back. The state government last carried out repairs to the heritage structure almost 50 years back in 1965. 

An experts' committee, which was set up in 2010 to examine the condition of 40 heritage structures and ancient temples in the state after the collapse of the rajagopuram of Srikalahasti temple, had recommended immediate repair of the Shivaji gopuram. The experts panel of architects, after examining all the four gopurams at the temple, found out that Shivaji gopuram was the weakest. Though the temple authorities had performed a puja in 2011 for dismantling the gopuram and constructing a new one in its place, the works could not be undertaken due to objections raised by the archaeology wing.

Earlier

The Gopuram of Sri Kalahasti Temple in AndhraPradesh had collapsed on May 26, 2010. Several promises were made then about protecting gopurams in temples in Andhra Pradesh.

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