Pandiyan-era Murugan Temple managed by HR&CE in shambles

An ancient Subramania Swamy Temple at Ellinganayakanpatti near Senkundrapuram in Virudhunagar district managed by the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department (HR&CE), lies in a state of neglect with the vimanam, structure and walls of the temple being damaged. Trees and bushes have grown unrestrained within the premises of the temple.

The Dinamalar Tamil daily has brought to attention the despair condition of this Murugan temple that is said to belong to the era of Pandiyas.

This temple is said to be referred in the ‘Thiruppugazh’ (a Tamil anthology of hymns dedicated to Lord Murugan) with the line that goes “‘செங்குன்றாபுரம் வாழ் குமரா எனும் முருகோனே” (Senkundrapuram Vaazh Kumaraa Enum Murugone).

Said to have been constructed during the time of Varaguna Pandiyan, there exists no inscriptions about it yet. However, archaeologists and epigraphists who are currently studying the era hope to find one.

An official of the HR&CE was quoted saying Dinamalar that the temple has been added to the list of dilapidated temples to be rebuilt and that work will begin soon and the temple will be renovated.