Srirangam temple’s eastern gopuram reopened after three years post repairs, renovation
The repair and renovation of the eastern Damodara Krishnan gopuram of the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchi district has been completed and was opened
The repair and renovation of the eastern Damodara Krishnan gopuram of the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tiruchi district has been completed and was opened for public entry on Sunday (August 9, 2026). The passage below the nine-tier historic gopuram was closed for public and vehicular movements for the past three years after a portion of the ‘kodungai’ (sunshade) on the first tier of the temple tower’s western side collapsed in the early hours in August 2023. The 131-foot tall centuries-old gopuram is situated at the temple’s eastern entrance between the East Chithirai street and the East Adayavalanjan street in Srirangam. Following the incident, barricades were immediately placed as a safety measure prohibiting public and vehicular movements. Discussions were held by the temple officials with experts to take up necessary measures to rectify the damage. Experts from the Institute of Technology, Tiruchi, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and the State Level Expert Committee inspected the gopuram to find out the extent of damage and assess the stability of the tower.
Subsequently, drawings were prepared by the ‘sthapathi’ to carry out the repair and renovation works approved by the State-Level Expert Committee. An estimate was prepared and a government order was issued to carry out the works. Repairs and renovations Scaffoldings were erected in front of the gopuram’s eastern and western sides to carry out necessary repairs. The repair and renovation works have been carried out at a cost of ₹2.15 crore through a donor contribution. As part of the works, two new ‘kodungais’ made of cut stones were placed each on the first and second tier of the eastern and western side of the gopuram. The cut stone pillars and beams below the ‘kodungais’ were also changed on both sides of the gopuram. Besides, the damaged wooden beams and wooden joists inside the gopuram from the first tier to the four tier were fully removed and replaced with new ones using ‘Ilupai’ wood which was given a fresh coat of cashewnut oil to ensure its stability for a very long time.
New roof was provided from the first tier to the fourth tier inside the gopuram using lime mortar with bricks (Madras Terrace Roof) to preserve its heritage value, a temple official said. Three years after the incident, the works were completed. Delay and reopening The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister Ramesh inaugurated the renovated Damodara Krishnan gopuram at a brief function held at Srirangam on Sunday and reopened the passage below the tower for public and vehicular movements. Tiruchi Collector Pratik Tayal, HR&CE Department Additional Commissioner, Tiruchi N. Ponmani, Srirangam temple joint commissioner S. Sivaramkumar and others participated. Speaking to journalists, Mr. Ramesh said although the repair works in the gopuram started in 2023 there was a delay in its completion due to various reasons. The Minister said he had received a number of complaints from the public regarding the delay in the completion of works which posed problems for them as they could not use the passage.
The BriefWire