Ballari: The arch above the Sabhtapa Mantapa, located in front of the holiest part of the Virupaksha temple at Hampi, has come crashing down.

Reportedly, the Department of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had repaired the Bishtappayya Gopura and the arch only a few months ago, with the help of experts from Tamil Nadu.

After a rather premature collapse of the structure, some of the locals suspect that the renovation work done was sub-standard. Another possibility floated is the monkey menace at the temple.

As of now, the ASI officials have said that it is difficult to pinpoint what brought the arch down. They also assured that the matter would be probed and the structure repaired.