THANJAVUR - Thousands of chanting Hindus consecrated a 1,000 year old temple in southern India yesterday, two days after about 40 worshippers died in a fire and stampede that raised questions about safety rules.
Devotees beat drums and blew trumpets during the ritual to purify the Brihadeeswara - or "Big Temple" - in the southern town of Thanjavur, 320 km southwest of Madras, capital of Tamil Nadu state.
The victims died on Saturday when a fire broke out in an outer portion of the temple complex, setting off a stampede among panic stricken devotees.
