Illumination project at Srirangam temple nears completion

Trichy: A lighting project aimed at highlighting the grandeur of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam is nearing completion with installation work expected to be finished within the next few weeks.The temple attracts thousands of devotees from across India and abroad throughout the year. The project to illuminate, taken up at a cost of ₹8.75 crore, was announced by the previous DMK govt during the state budget session last year. Work began last Aug and covers the illumination of 10 prominent temple structures, including the iconic 236ft rajagopuram.“Within the next 15 to 20 days, the work should be completed. The installation of lights has been finished, and we are now in the process of aligning them properly. We will be conducting trial runs next week,” said an HR&CE official.The official said the LED illumination system would be capable of displaying thousands of colour combinations. “This will enable different lighting patterns for various festivals, reflecting the nature and significance of each celebration.”Maintenance of the illumination system will be handled by a private contractor for the first three years after completion. Thereafter, the HR&CE department will take over the maintenance.The 10 structures covered under the project are the South Rajagopuram, Renga Renga Gopuram, Karthigai Gopuram, Ramanujar Sannidhi Gopuram, Vellai Gopuram, Paramapada Vasal, Dhanvanthri Sannidhi Gopuram, Vadakku Vasal Gopuram, Sengamalavalli Nachiyar Gopuram, and Moolavar Thanga Vimanam.