Tirupati: Cracks in the masonry of the ‘Astottara Linga Mandapam’, close to the main temple in Srikalahasti of Chittoor district, triggered panic in the temple town on Friday evening.
The cracks caused worry due to the collapse of the Srikalahasteeswara Swamy rajagopuram in May 2010. Even as memories of the collapse continue to haunt the devasthanams officials and devotees, the ‘Astottara Linga Mandapam’ which stands tall in the temple precincts, developed cracks over the years and is on the verge of collapse. Even as devotees on a visit to the temple were resting close to the ancient structure, a weak pillar of the mandapam slightly caved-in, giving anxious moments to devotees on Friday. Though the incident sent shockwaves across the communities, the devasthanam officials sounded less worried.
Srikalahasti devasthanams executive engineer Mr Rami Reddy who inspected the mandapam said that the temple administration would soon take up repair works to keep the ancient structure intact. The devotees and the locals on the other hand alleged that official apathy and neglect has led to the situation where another ancient structure in Srikalahasti town is on the verge of a collapse.
