Sacred snake nest temple in Thirukazhugukundram destroyed, 2 arrested

The snake nest at the Thirukkazhugukunram Thandumariamman temple was removed by an individual with a Poclain machine earlier this week. The perpetrator who killed the snake that were housed in the nest without informing the forest department has been arrested.

The Thandumariamman Temple near Thirukkazhugukunram in Chengalpattu district has been worshipped by devotees for 75 years. At the back of the temple is a snake nest that has been revered and considered to be sacred by the villagers. The villagers note that there were more than five snakes which were worshiped by the people of the area.

An individual named Senthil had encroached on the land belonging to the temple. When word spread that he was destroying the snake’s nest with a Poclain machine, the villagers gathered around and besieged the temple. It is said that the Senthil did not listen to their heeds about not demolishing the snake nest.

As a result, a cobra that was inside the nest got stuck in the machine and died. The cobra was found  dead along the grass on the sides. The public had informed the police and the forest department about the encroachment on the temple land and the demolition.

Following this, Senthil and the Poclain machine driver Jaishankar were arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act.

Source: Kathir News