Shops around Trichy temple razed

In a significant development, the HR&CE department in association with the Lalgudi revenue officials razed a total of 85 shops that had been illegal constructed along the Samayapuram Maraiamman temple's compound wall. The shop lots slanting from the outer side of the temple wall have not only been obstructing movement of visitors to the temple, presently the third richest in the state, but were also hindrance to the expansion of the ancient temple.

The demolition operation lasted from dawn to dusk, and all "encroachments" on the southern and western praharams were removed. Mannachanallur tahsildar Bhavani who was part of the operation told TOI that the shops had been there for well over two decades, selling ritual and pooja items and other religious knickknacks. As the temple grew in popularity, the HR&CE recently sanctioned Rs 80 lakh to widen the praharam. "There was no resistance from the shopkeepers who were made to realize that their shops were unauthorized, and as such the question of providing alternative site does not arise," Lalgudi RDO Parthiban told TOI. However, a posse of around 400 policemen was pressed into service at sunrise, but they were withdrawn in phases as it was a smooth operation. "There are still around 150 shops in the immediate vicinity of the temple occupying either the temple or revenue land, and they would be removed in the coming days," said Parthiban.

Located on the Chennai-Trichy highway, the ancient temple became famous in relatively recent times, becoming the third biggest revenue earner in the state, after Pazhani and Tiruchendur. Yet, the ancient temple did not have basic amenities such as dormitories for devotees, toilets and parking lots. Now, a 26,188 sq ft Amavasai mandapam is under construction for Rs 1.1 crore, and another three-storey building with a tonsuring hall is being planned for Rs 65 lakh. The HR&CE department has also taken up construction of a two-storey guest house with a total of 32 suites as many devotees to the temple were forced to stay at Trichy, 15 km away. The expansion plan also includes a link road to the highway at a cost of Rs 12.5 lakh.