Kalahasti gopuram collapses

The five-centuries-old Rajagopuram built by the emperor Sri Krishna Devaraya near the Srikalahasti temple collapsed late on Wednesday evening, creating panic among the local populace.

The main temple at Srikalahasti was not affected by the collapse of the 135-feet gopuram.

Eyewitnesses said a huge structure from the top of the gopuram fell on the ground with a huge thud at 8.05 pm. Within a minute the whole structure collapsed and turned into a pile of rubble.

Though local people said they saw two security guards sitting under the gopuram, it is not certain whether there has been loss of life. Two women last seen in the spot were yet to return home. There are also reports that more than 200 monkeys could have been buried in the debris.

“Nothing can be said for sure until we remove the debris which is 20 feet high,” said a police officer.

Nearby shopkeepers had noticed a huge crack extending from the bottom to the top of the gopuram during the last three days. It is believed that the rains that followed Cyclone Laila further weakened its structure.

Luckily, on Tuesday evening, temple authorities, with the help of the local police, evacuated the shopkeepers from the vicinity and declared 150-metre radius as danger zone. If this had not been done, there would have been a major disaster.

People thronged the area after news of the gopuram’s fall spread, creating a major traffic jam. Soon power went off, adding to the chaos. Terming the collapse a bad omen, women all over the town two lamps (pramidhas) in front of their houses. Some agama pundits seconded the view.

But for most of the populace, the collapse of the gopuram was more of a sad event. At a time when the entire state is celebrating the 500th coronation year of the emperor, his dream structure has been dashed to pieces.

The gopuram had been in trouble for over a decade with stones and clay falling off from the structure. A few years ago, a tourist was killed when a stone fell on him. Though civil society groups had complained about the tower’s condition, the temple authorities did nothing except undertaking minor repairs. The neglected gopuram had become a shelter for tramps, sadhus and monkeys.

The gopuram, with seven stories, was built in 1516 and stood to the right side of the temple and was a testimony to the grandeur of the Vijayanagara Kings. Till three decades ago, it was the practice of devotees to pass through it after taking the bath in Swarnamukhi River.

A researcher from the SV University said that Srikrishna Devaraya built the monumental structure to mark his victory over the rival kings of the Gajapathi dynasty. “Unlike the other gopurams found in South India, it was built with clay,” he said.

The bronze statue of the emperor was erected at the base of the gopuram last year.

Interestingly, the statue, just 10 feet away from the structure, did not suffer any damage and the debris now lies at the emperor’s feet.