The Addala Mandapam (mirror mandapam) of Sri Kalyana Venkateswara Swamy temple at Punganur town in Chittor district, constructed in the 18th century by the erstwhile Punganur zamindars collapsed Friday due to heavy rains.

The Mandapam was mostly used to celebrate the Kalyanotsanavam (Lord’s celestial marriage) of Sri Venkateswara Swamy.

Local people said that cracks developed in the structure some ten years ago and 9 years back, the authorities took up repair work of the Mandapam but the work was stopped for some unknown reasons.

The endowments officials said that the heavy rains that lashed the town in last two days had no impact on the main temple and the structure was strong.

The minister for forests and Punganur MLA, Dr P. Ramachandra Reddy, who rushed to the spot, said the collapsed structure would be reconstructed at the earliest.

Meanwhile , in another incident, the Dwajasthamba Peetam in Sri Malleswara Swamy temple at Uravakonda in Anantapur district, which  had developed cracks a few months ago, collapsed on Friday.