{
  "id": 5806616,
  "title": "79 monoliths and a mountain of challenges: reconstructing a Nayak-era wonder",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/79-monoliths-and-a-mountain-of-challenges-reconstructing-a-nayak-era",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T17:59:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/79-monoliths-and-a-mountain-of-challenges-reconstructing-a-nayak-era-wonder/article71432437.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Hindu reports on the monumental task of reconstructing the Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, which suffered severe damage in a fire in February 2018. The hall, located adjacent to the temple's eastern tower, was completely rebuilt after 79 new pillars were carved, a feat that presented numerous challenges, including sourcing the right granite stones, logistical issues with heavy-duty cranes, and delays caused by litigation and the COVID-19 pandemic. The reconstruction, which began under the DMK government in 2021, was completed on August 30, with the final budget allocated at ₹38.30 crore, up from the initial estimate of ₹18.10 crore.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}