The dry Vaigai river this year has prompted officials from Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department and Public Works Department to look for alternative sources to fill water in Mariamman Teppakulam ahead of the famous float festival.
According to officials, after a gap of three years water will be pumped from the Manalur pumping station. A trial operation was conducted at Manalur on Monday.
Officials told The Hindu that the process of pumping water from Tirupuvanam head works to Manalur pumping station had begun. Some major leakages were identified between Tirupuvanam and Manalur and it was affecting the flow of water. Efforts were being taken to plug the leakages.
The leakages would be plugged within two days and water from Manalur pumping station pumped to the tank using 250 KV motors.
“We are optimistic that the effort to pump water will be fruitful. If it does not work out, we are looking for options to conduct a simple festival,” hinted the official.
The float festival will mark the conclusion of the annual 12-day ‘Thai Poosam’ festival that falls on January 27.
The float festival is witnessed by thousands of devotees as the deities Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar from the Meenakshi Temple are floated in the Mariamman temple tank every year.
