Ranchi’s Pahari Mandir at Risk: Rats and Erosion Threaten Iconic Temple

The Pahari Mandir in Ranchi, a prominent place of worship, is facing significant challenges, according to a recent assessment. A technical team, commissioned to evaluate the temple’s condition, has found that the hill beneath the temple is unstable and cannot support additional construction. A technical team member, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that the team’s on-site investigation confirmed that no further construction activities should be carried out. The team is currently analyzing the situation and will submit a comprehensive report to the state government within six months. The temple complex is grappling with a growing infestation of rats that are undermining the structure by creating tunnels in the walls, floors, and foundation. The rodents have also damaged the roots of the trees in the temple premises. The incomplete guard wall, intended to prevent soil erosion, is exacerbating the problem. Over the years, millions of rupees have been spent on the temple’s beautification, but these efforts have not addressed the core issues. The primary focus has been on renovating the stairs, with multiple reconstructions since 1947.