With a steady rise in the number of pilgrims visiting the Sri Neelivaneswarar temple in Tiruppainjeeli, a tiny village near here, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department has decided to improve amenities at the shrine as part of a Rs. 1-crore project.
Construction of ‘yatri nivas’ is the highlight of the work in progress on the temple premises. ‘Kal vazhai’, a variety of banana, is the temple tree here and a large number of devotees seeking matrimonial alliance pray at this mandapam.
A sizeable number of newly-weds also visit the spot to fulfil their vow.
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Funds for the renovation work has been met mostly through donations.
When completed, the ‘yatri nivas’ would provide accommodation to pilgrims who wish to perform rituals at the ‘kal vazhai’ mandapam.
The temple is associated with the life of Sri Appar, one of the four Saivite saints.
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The authorities have taken up renovation of ‘mandapam’. Legend has it that Lord Siva provided “amudhu” to Sri Appar at this mandapam.
The administration has initiated work on assembling a new chariot for the temple as the old chariot had outlived its utility.
The new chariot is 30-foot tall and 10-foot wide and is being built as per the ‘agama’ sastra.
The massive tank near the entrance to the temple has been given a facelift. It was earlier filled with plastic waste and garbage.
The flight of steps leading down to the tank has been renovated.
The department will allow donor work for the renovation of various shrines and the rajagopuram, according to sources.