Mullappally Ramachandran, MP, on Thursday, inaugurated the recently renovated pond of the centuries-old Iringannur Maha Siva temple near Edakkara in Vadakara.
The pond was renovated utilising a portion of a special fund, Rs.22 lakh, sanctioned by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) under its corporate social responsibility programme.
The restoration work was started at the temple a few months ago following a study by a team from the National Institute of Technology, Calicut. The study had proposed a Rs.5.5-crore restoration project, which was approved by the temple committee. Temple authorities said the ONGC came forward to support the scheme following a recommendation from Vadakara MP Mullappally Ramachandran. “Discussions are also under way to rope in more public sector companies for other conservation works at the heritage site,” they said.
Mr. Ramachandran said the cooperation of the ONGC was sought for the temple as it is a major heritage structure in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency after the Lokanarkavu temple. He said the temple also had the potential to grow as a prime heritage tourism destination in the Malabar region.
