The Srithalasayana Perumal Temple is located in the heart of Mamallapuram near the ancient site of Arjuna’s Penance. The temple is considered to be the 63rd of the 108 Divyadesams. The temple attracts a large number of devotees from the suburbs and the nearby regions. There is an ancient well in the temple premises and a drinking trough near it.
In this situation, a tender was issued on behalf of the municipal administration for ₹5 lakhs to build 6 toilets.
Gravel, M-sand and bricks have come to the site and the construction of the toilets have begun just close to the shrine. Devotees have raised concerns that having the toilet there would lead to stench inconveniencing those who visit the temple. They have also said that the temple is just close to the well and drinking trough. The trees in the premises have also been cut.
Therefore, locals have demanded that Chengalpattu District Collector Rahul Nath personally inspect the construction site of the toilet and select a secluded site to take steps to build the toilet there.
(With inputs from Dinakaran)
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