T Manawalan Pillai, aged 91 and renowned in the textile trade of Trichy, passed away on 30 April 2024 at his residence in Thillai Nagar due to age-related illness.

He was the founder of Saratha’s, a textile showroom located on NSB Road in Trichy Malaikottai area and flourished over fifty years. Establishing the showroom as a partnership firm in 1969, Manawalan’s business prowess led to its gradual expansion, attracting customers from far and wide. Known for his philanthropy, he supported underprivileged students and made donations to temples.

It became a focal point during festivities, drawing visitors from neighboring towns. Manavalan Pillai, its owner, left an indelible mark on the textile industry in Trichy. Despite retiring in recent years due to age, he remained devoted to the shop, overseeing operations from morning till evening.

Following a sudden illness while at his office on NSP Road yesterday afternoon, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. His passing led to closures along NSP Road, and mourners paid their respects at Sarathas Shop before his body was taken home. The loss of Sarathas ‘ owner has deeply saddened the people of Trichy.

In this regard, the Hindu Munani in the Trichy area has expressed condolences over the passing of Manawalan Pillai. They issued a statement remembering his philanthropic deeds and contributions to the community, expressing sorrow over his departure. The statement read, “Sarathas founder passed away. On behalf of the Hindu Munani in our area, when we celebrate Chaturthi with a statue of Ganesha, we will present the first invitation to Manika Vinayakar and the next invitation will be to him in person. He will happily donate an amount and when Ganesha’s procession passed through his Saratha’s shop, he used to stand at the door and give each Ganesha a veshti and a basket full of chickpeas. He has passed away today… May brother’s soul rest in the shade of Lord’s feet”

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That a DMK Trichy corporation councillor attempted to self-immolate owing to alleged neglect of his ward’s development made the news on 13 March 2024. The councillor put forth his resignation stating he was unable to continue his role because he felt his constituents were being overlooked.

The monthly corporation council meeting, held on 13 March 2024, saw the adoption of 145 resolutions, yet tensions arose towards the end when a DMK councillor resigned, citing neglect of his ward. Kajamalai Vijay, expressing frustration over unmet demands for Ward 60, submitted his resignation to Mayor M Anbalagan and Corporation Commissioner V Saravanan. He later attempted self-immolation, which was prevented by police and fellow councillors.

In a tearful statement during the incident, Vijay highlighted issues such as inadequate cleaning of an overhead tank, unaddressed requests for a library, and insufficient sanitation workers in his ward. Mayor Anbalagan, upon reviewing Vijay’s resignation letter, instructed immediate action on the raised concerns, leading to the rejection of Vijay’s resignation.

A senior DMK official, observing the event, characterized Vijay’s actions as emotional, affirming that efforts were underway to resolve his grievances. Another councillor, Ambikapathi KK of AIADMK from Ward 65, also left the session, citing dissatisfaction over the sale of pan masala in the city.

Despite the presentation of 145 resolutions during the session, most pertained to minor civic projects and measures against delinquent corporation bill payers. Councillor L Rex raised concerns about UGD contractors charging residents for connecting pipelines without proper authorization. Mayor Anbalagan denounced such actions and directed officials to rectify the situation, ensuring affected residents are refunded.

Furthermore, councillors highlighted issues with water supply in certain areas, attributed to problems at the Kollidam collector well. The mayor assured affected wards of tanker water supply to mitigate the inconvenience.

In this context, SG Suryah, the State Secretary of the BJP, voiced criticism towards MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, questioning his leadership. Suryah highlighted an incident where a DMK councilor in Trichy resorted to self-immolation in protest against the DMK Mayor’s refusal to implement developmental schemes in his ward. Suryah’s query to Stalin “Are you administrating #PuppetChiefMinister @mkstalin?”

DMK Councillor in Trichy immolates against DMK Mayor in Trichy for refusing developmental schemes in his ward.

ஆட்சியா நடத்தறீங்க #பொம்மைமுதல்வர் திரு.@mkstalin அவர்களே?? pic.twitter.com/g2UEjFlc9a

— Dr.SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) March 13, 2024

(with inputs from TNIE)

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Tamil Nadu is renowned for its historical prominence under the reign of the triumvirate emperors: the Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas. During their rule, literature, art, culture, ethics, and values flourished, reaching their zenith. A significant aspect of their legacy lies in their extensive donations to temples and architectural marvels. Notably, the Imperial Cholas, known for their devotion to Shaivism, established their ancient capital in Urayur near Trichy. Recent excavations near Tiruverumbur, Trichy have unveiled the magnificence of their reign, shedding light on their glorious past.

In Kumbakudi near Tiruverumpur, an ancient temple dating back to the 10th century AD has been unearthed. Despite its dilapidated state, the local Shiva worship group, in collaboration with villagers, undertook the task of renovating and restoring the temple. In honor of Shivratri, a special worship ceremony was organized within its precincts. Dhanasekhar, an employee at the central government’s HABP factory in Trichy, notified the Aatrupadai Historical Society about the discovery of this ancient temple.

Parthiban, a member of the Aatrupadai Historical Society who led the survey, noted that the temple’s stone carvings, dating back to the Chola period, were in a state of disrepair. An inscription attributed to Vikrama Chola within the temple provides insights into the town’s history, referring to it as a subdivision of “Pandiya Kulasani Valanatu Tenkarai Brahma Theyam Sri Cholamadevi Chaturvedi Mangalam”. Here, Brahma deyam signifies the land gifted to Brahmins for the management of temple affairs, while Chaturvedi mangalam denotes the lands allocated for the study of the four Vedas.

The name “Kumpakudi” has persisted for over a millennium according to the inscriptions. It is documented that an official named Kumbakkudi Natalvan, Vellalar from Kavir Naadu, and along with Cholamadevi Sabha, contributed land to the temple. Additional inscriptions mention Anbilurudayar and Thiruvenkadudayar near Lalgudi. Parthiban suggests that a study of the temple’s scattered construction stones could yield valuable insights into life during the Chola period.

Remains of a 10th Century Shiva Temple discovered near Tiruverambur, Tiruchirapalli.

As per the info from locals, a heritage group inspected the site and found 3 inscriptions, out of which only one inscription was readable which is of Vikrama Chozha. pic.twitter.com/EA0FeMz3gK

— Ethirajan Srinivasan (@Ethirajans) March 9, 2024

(with inputs from IE-Tamil)

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Navalpattu Sub-Inspector Bhoominathan (56), who was on patrolling duty yesterday, was allegedly murdered by 2 goat thieves when he tried to nab them near Pallathupatty, around 2 am in the morning. The SI saw a gang of 4 carrying goats, travelling on 2 two wheelers. When he tried to stop them, they sped away, leading him to suspect that they may be goat thieves. He immediately informed other officers through his walkie-talkie and chased the alleged thieves with his own two wheeler.

When the gang of 4 reached Pallathupatty, in the Kallamavur Railway gate area of Trichy-Pudukkottai, SI Bhoominathan caught 2 of the 4 on the run, and immediately informed the Navalpattu police officers. The other 2 thieves who followed the SI, threatened him to release the 2 thieves he had caught. On refusal, the thieves allegedly slashed the SI with a billhook they were hiding, and fled the scene. The inspector succumbed to his wounds, on the spot.

The incident is reported to have happened around 2 am in the morning. Around 4 am, locals who saw the state of the sub-inspector, immediately reported to the Keeranur Police Station. The police rushed to the spot, took the body into custody and sent it to the nearest hospital for autopsy. The Pudukottai and Trichy Police have registered a case and are investigating the incident.

“SI Bhoominathan was on patrol as usual, when he doubted the mob to be goat thieves and attempted to chase them down. We have only received information that the SI was hacked to death by the mob. We are investigating the perpetrators behind his murder. We cannot say anything else, as of now,”  said the Police in-charge of the case, quoted by Vikatan.

சமூக விரோதிகளால் திருச்சி,நவல்பட்டு காவல்நிலைய SI திரு.பூமிநாதன் சமூக விரோதிகளால் அரிவாளால் வெட்டி கொலை செய்யப்பட்டார் என்ற செய்தி அறிந்து மிகவும் வேதனை அடைந்தேன். அவரது குடும்பத்தினருக்கு எனது ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கலை தெரிவித்துக்கொள்வதுடன், அரசின் சார்பாக 1 கோடி ரூபாய் நஷ்ட ஈடும், (1/2) pic.twitter.com/WDaeSLxBhB

— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@EPSTamilNadu) November 21, 2021

திருச்சியை அடுத்த பள்ளத்துப்பட்டியில் ஆடு திருடிச் சென்றவர்களை துரத்திச் சென்று பிடிக்க முயன்ற திருச்சி நவல்பட்டு காவல்நிலைய சிறப்பு உதவி ஆய்வாளர் பூமிநாதன் அங்குள்ளவர்களால் சரமாரியாக வெட்டிக் கொலை செய்யப்பட்டிருப்பது வேதனையளிக்கிறது.(1/3)#TNPolice #SSIBoominathan

— Dr ANBUMANI RAMADOSS (@draramadoss) November 21, 2021

(With inputs from Vikatan)

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Small onions grown by the inmates in the garden at the Trichy jail premises are being harvested and sold for ₹80 per kg. The Trichy Central Jail holds about 1,500 inmates, including convicts, who have been sentenced to life imprisonment. On the basis of number of years in prison they are assigned to work in the gardens, workshops and prison shops on the prison premises.

The proceeds from their work are used for the livelihood of the families of the prisoners involved. Every year vegetables, paddy and sugarcane are grown in the garden of the prison premises. Small onions are cultivated every year. This year, about 500 kgs of small onions cultivated by the prisoners were harvested. These are produced in organic method with natural fertilizers.

Earlier, the DIG of Trichy Jail Prisons visited the small onion harvesting program. Kanagaraj, Prison Superintendent Shankar, Prison Store Superintendent Thirumurugan and many others were present.

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For people living in Srirangam near Tiruchirapalli, Souriraajen Raghunathan is a well-known name. While most people know him as the owner of Sri Ranga Tours and Travels, a travel agency, he is also the caretaker of the crematorium near the Cauvery river in Srirangam. This was earlier managed by Mr KV, as he was famously known.

Ever since the lockdown started, he has been helping with cremating the bodies of COVID patients. More than 20 people have been cremated by him, as there is widespread fear about going anywhere near the vicinity of a coronavirus patient. Because of the absence of people to perform last rites, he had come forward and performed them himself. He had contracted a cold due to having had to shower each time he performed these rituals.

Sourirajan had a coronavirus scare recently due to this, where he had experienced breathing trouble due to congestion and phlegm. He was later diagnosed to be negative.

He is also famously known for being a Sriman thaangi, the term denoting those who carry the deity around during religious processions and periodical festivals that happen at the Srirangam Ranganathar Temple.

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Archaeological researchers from the Tiruvannamalai Centre for Historical Research have discovered a stone inscription during an excavation at Aachamangalam near Vandavasi, which dates back to 13th century. This was found in fully intact condition and has been determined to have links to the Thiruvanaikaval Temple in Tiruchirapalli.

“It was inscribed in the 15th regnal year of Sundarapandian,” S Balamurugan, Secretary, TCHR was quoted saying in The New Indian Express. Senior epigraphist S Rajagopal studied the inscription and found that a local chieftain, Vikarapandya Sambuvarayar, gave tax relief to a fenced land located in the village and ordered that the revenue earned out of the land be used for maintaining a garden in Thiruvanaikaval temple, Balamurugan told The New Indian Express. The team consisted of Balamurugan, Palanisami, Sudhakar, and Venkatesh.

This inscription has been found to feature a spider, an elephant, a ‘Naaval Pazham’ (jambolan/jamun) tree and grilled window. All these symbols are associated with the Jambukeswarar Temple. The story goes that two of Siva’s disciples were cursed to be born as a spider and elephant in earth who worship Lord Siva in their own way. The elephant collected water from the Cauvery river to perform abhishegam while the spider built a web to protect the Siva Linga idol from dry leaves falling on it and sunlight. The elephant cleared the cobweb daily thinking that it was dust. Irked by this, the spider goes into the elephant’s trunk and bites it to death while getting killed in the process. Moved by their devotion, Lord Siva relives them from the curse and blesses them.

The main sanctum sanctorum of the temple has a stone window with 9 apertures through which devotees view the deity.

Archaeological experts are researching further about this find, as the presence of an inscription with sculpture has intrigued them.

The Thiruvanaikaval temple is a famous Shiva temple situated in Tiruchirapalli, and is famously known for being one of the five major Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu (Pancha Bhoota Stalam) representing the Mahābhūta or five great elements; this temple represents the element of water.

Source: The New Indian Express

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has announced the creation of 6 new circles and expansion of 3 others to promote conservation and protect ancient sites and monuments.

The new circles created are Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, Rajkot in Gujarat, Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Meerut and Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, and Raiganj in West Bengal.

With this Tamil Nadu will have 2 circles – Chennai and Tiruchirapalli.

The Tiruchi circle has been created keeping in mind the rich archaeological significance of the land of Cheras, Chozhas, Pandyas and Pallavas. Also, Tamil Nadu is home to thousands of temples that are 3000-4000 years old.

Along with the creation of new circles, the Delhi mini circle has been merged with Delhi circle and the Hampi mini circle has been expanded to a full-fledged circle by joining a few areas from the Dharwar circle.

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After bringing the rabid Youtube channel Karuppar Koottam to books, the BJP Tamil Nadu unit has filed a complaint against another Youtube channel named ‘Saattai’ that is run by Duraimurugan Pandiyan, a campaigner for NTK’s Seeman.

In one of the videos titled “Rama Leelaigal”, ‘Saattai’ Duraimurugan had made derogatory comments against Hindu God Ram.

In light of this the BJP Tamil Unit’s IT Cell had filed a complaint with the Thiruverumbur Police Station asking for strict action against Saattai Duraimurugan and his Youtube channel.

D. Gopi, State Secretary of the party along with District Vice President C. Indiran, former District Secretary P. Raja Rajan, SC Wing District Vice President D. Selvaraj had accompanied the station.

A CSR copy has been received.

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