In couplet 611 under chapter 62 of Thirukural, sage-poet Thiruvalluvar says a task should not be shunned because it is tough. R. Srinivasarao, 35-years-old, seemed to put this idea into practice as he went about the self-imposed task of turning a ‘temple-house’ into a tourist spot.
It is widely believed that the sage-poet lived in this house in Mylapore, and it is therefore seen as a temple.
Srinivasarao, who lives in Triplicane, filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on this matter at the Madras High Court, and the First Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M. Sundar directed the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to respond to the petition.
The PIL sought three things. One, turning the temple for Thiruvalluvar into a tourist spot. Two, renovating the temple and also appointing a special officer to ensure its maintenance. Three, declaring the temple as a world-class tourist spot, after introducing better facilities there.
Srinivasarao, a native of Perambalur district in southern Tamil Nadu, was searching for the roots of the Tamil poet. The search took Srinivasarao to a small temple on a narrow lane Thiruvalluvar Salai (named after the Tamil sage-poet) off Kutchery Road near the Mylapore police station.
“Since my childhood I was interested in Tamil literature and study of its culture. I was surprised when Tamil scholars in my village B. Kolathur in Perambalaur district were talking about the pathetic condition of this temple in Chennai,” said Srinivasarao, who has been a practising advocate at the Madras High Court for a decade.
He wanted to popularise the memorial. Towards the end, he collected stacks of research materials and supporting documents.
The temple, spreading across 12 grounds, has a sanctum with granite statue of the poet.
A dry tree stem, protected by a steel fence, signifies the spot where Thiruvalluvar’s parents is said to have left him. There is a centuries-old well. A modern library containing works by Thiruvalluvar is another attraction.
Renovation in 1935
For many centuries, pilgrims have worshipped the sage-poet at the dry stem.
In May 1935, the place was renovated by philanthropists and merchants from the neighbourhood, Kanniyappa Nayakkar and Subramani Chettiyar.
After that, no major renovation work, except for the construction of a compound wall in April, 1973, was carried out.
Much of the tiled pathway is broken. Trees uprooted by cyclone Vardah have not been replaced.
The library is yet to function at the temple.
“A sum of Rs. 10 lakh has been allotted for the renovation of the temple, including construction of a walkers’ pathway and provision of other facilities. The work has already begun,” said an HR&CE official.
