Temple by the beach may collapse anytime
Huge cracks found on building after recent storm that battered Penang
GEORGE TOWN: The Sri Aluvang Muneeswarar Temple is on the verge of collapse following the 15-hour storm that hit on Nov 4.
Temple chairman A. Sathasivam said huge cracks could be seen at the base of the temple in Jalan Batu Ferringhi, which is located 2m high from the beach.
“The temple cannot be repaired. It has to be demolished and rebuilt,” he said.
“Erosion took place beneath the temple in the early hours of Nov 5 after the downpour, causing the huge cracks.
“The temple is in a dangerous condition as the cracks may continue to spread. The temple could collapse anytime if there is another downpour with strong winds,” he said yesterday.
Sathasivam said high tide also brought in waves that splashed in between the cracks and into the temple.
Rebuilding could cost more than RM100,000, he said.
“The soil has to be checked again and a stronger concrete base has to be built to hold the temple building.”
Sathasivam said artisans from India would have to be brought in to design the structure.
“It is not auspicious for a temple to have cracks,” he said.
“We will start moving the statues to a temporary location. The demolition work is expected to start next week.”
Sathasivam said the temple used to have three tridents in the past, but it now had the Muneeswarar, Madurai Veeran, Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha statues.
Sathasivam said the temple committee only had enough funds for the maintenance of the temple and hoped that it could obtain contributions from the public and the state government to rebuild the temple.
Those who wish to contribute can contact Sathasivam (016-4954898) or M. Thiagarajan (012-4509456).