Lightning struck the Lingaraj Temple here and burnt the pennant atop the 11th-century shrine, apart from damaging at least 40 CCTV cameras and the temple crown, Wednesday evening.

The lightning also caused extensive damage to the temple’s electrical systems, including cables. Several servitors and devotees sustained minor injuries, according to reports.

Soon after the incident, a five-member team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) rushed to the temple to assess the damage.

They reportedly replaced the damaged spire with a smaller dome built along traditional lines.

The incident occurred when several priests and devotees were inside the sanctum sanctorum.

“The entire temple shook, and the deafening sound still echoes in our ears,” said one of the servitors.

According to her

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