Lightning arrester averts major damage to Big Temple gopuram

Rains lashed Thanjavur for around 30 minutes in the evening and suddenly, lightning struck the Keralanthagan Vayil , the first of the two entrances with towers (gopuram) of the Big Temple. 

In the impact, a small portion on the top right side of the gopuram broke away and some pieces fell on the ground. Temple sources said it was part of the structure known as ‘ Keerthimugam’. 

Meanwhile, due to the lightning, power supply to the shoe repository of the temple located near the tower was affected and the refrigerator in the shop attached to it was damaged. 

Sources said the lightning arrester attached to the tower saved the day. But for it, there could have been major damage. 

A portion of the lightning arrester, which was also damaged in the lightning strike, collapsed and would be set right on Wednesday. According to Shankar, Conservation Assistant of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the damage would be fixed and a proposal for the same would be submitted to the ASI headquarters.