The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Temple tank restored to former glory

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 29, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Temple tank restored to former glory

K. Manikandan

— Photo: A. Muralitharan

PLEASING SIGHT: The rejuvenated Selli Amman Temple tank in Keelkattalai.

TAMBARAM: The roads are dusty, slushy and barely motorable; the narrow streets winding past residential areas of Keelkattalai and Tirusulam lead to the Selli Amman Temple. Beside the temple is its tank — a beautiful sight.

In a rare display of the involvement of the State Government and urban local bodies, the tank of Selli Amman Temple has been rejuvenated. Pallavaram Municipality spent Rs. 13 lakh in cleaning the area around the tank. The tank was also desilted and deepened.

The sides of the tank were strengthened with concrete walls and a compound wall built around it.

Improvement works were also carried out on inlet channels leading to the tank from nearby areas, mostly from Tirusulam hillocks. Works started more than a year ago and were completed recently.

Residents of Keelkattalai recalled that about one year ago, the tank was an eyesore with devotees reluctant to go near it.

Now, the spruced up temple tank attracts a large number of visitors in the morning and evening hours. The temple tank’s expanse is about one acre.

It was the persistent efforts of residents and elected representatives that led to improvement works in the tank. A small over head tank has been constructed near the tank and this serves as source to supply water to about 500 households in the vicinity.

Office-bearers of Kancheepuram District Water Bodies Exnora in Keelkattalai said the Selli Amman Temple Tank was a shining example of conservation of water bodies pending nominal amount, local bodies and other government agencies through Chennai Metropolitan Area could rejuvenate and protect water bodies, they suggested.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail