Tiruvarur temple tank wall collapses in rain

Dilapidated walls running to 350 metres on the western bank caved in twice on Saturday, setting off alarm among those residing in the streets abutting the periphery of the tank, said to be the biggest in the State.

A section of the parapet and retaining wall of the Kamalalayam tank of Sri Tyagarajar temple in Tiruvarur caved in on Saturday.

: A section of the boundary wall of Kamalalayam, the magnificent tank of the ancient Sri Tyagarajar temple here, collapsed on Saturday following the heavy rains in the past week.

Even a brief look at the huge tank, sporting a sprawling water front that seems like a green carpet around the exquisite ‘neeraazhi mandapam’ housing the Naganatha Swamy perched at the centre, reveals the tardy maintenance that has resulted in the collapse of a part of the wall.

Dilapidated walls running to 350 metres on the western bank caved in twice on Saturday, setting off alarm among those residing in the streets abutting the periphery of the tank, said to be the biggest in the State.

Worried residents of Tiruvarur have called upon the government, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and the district administration to renovate the tank.

The retaining walls of the tank rise to 20 feet from the last pedestal of the tank and iron grills adorn the top of the walls for added security.

Close to ‘Kamalalayam’ is the main road leading into Tiruvarur town, as a large number of vehicles from Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal ply on the highway running proximate to the tank.

Devotees say the government must co-opt the Centre and rope in non-profit organisations interested in preserving the cultural heritage to renovate and maintain Kamalalayam.