Bhubaneswar: The ‘Dadhinauti’ or crown of Rameswar temple located at Mausi Maa Square in Bhubaneswar collapsed after it got struck by lightning amid heavy downpour on Saturday.
According to preliminary information, the incident took place between 9 am and 9.30 am when the servitors were conducting rituals inside the temple.
The temple complex was inspected by a team of eight Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officials. A new kalasha will be constructed in sandstone and fixed atop the shrine soon, superintending archaeologist of ASI (Bhubaneswar circle) Sushant Kar told the media.
A lightning arrester will also be fixed on the temple, he said, adding that a team will carry out a detailed investigation of the top portion of the temple to find out if there are any other damages.
The state capital encountered a spell heavy and intense of rainfall on Saturday. According to the India Meteorological Department, the intense spell of rains is likely to continue in most parts of the state throughout the day.
Rameswar temple, also known as Mausi Maa temple of Lord Lingaraj, houses a Shiva Linga and other structures. There is also an image of Goddess Durga that is worshipped within the sanctum.
According to historians, the temple was built during the late Soma Vansh period that can be traced to the early part of the 12th century AD. The Jagamohan (assembly hall) of the temple was built much later.
