Officials of Sri Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Temple at Tiruvanaikovil have started pumping water into the temple tank from borewells for Adi float festival scheduled to commence on July 18. The ‘theppam’ will be on July 30.
Three motors with 7 HP capacity each are being operated from the borewells for pumping water into the tank for the past two days and will be used for another 15 days to fill the tank.
The borewells are within the temple precincts and the water pumped out is collected in front of the ‘yanai mandapam’ from where it reaches the tank.
Devotees and pilgrims visiting the temple are elated to cross the sheet of water at the site. Some of them were seen drinking it.
“The tank is bone dry and hence the water will be pumped into the tank daily for about three weeks,” say the temple sources.
The tank, measuring about 300 metres in length and 200 metres in breadth is heavily littered especially with plastic waste.
Even as the water level is seen rising, a large volume of plastic bottles and polythene carry bags are seen floating in it.
R. Kannaiya, executive officer of the temple, said the float festival marked an important occasion for the festival.
The water level was closely monitored and the electric motors will be operated even on July 30. Local residents said the temple authorities should take action to prevent the pollution of the tank.
