The Hindu

A Tiruvarur based NGO has demanded that the Tiruvarur Thiagaraja Swami temple be brought under the control of the Archaeological department to protect its tank, temple car and rare antique jewels famous for its beauty and magnificence.

They also demanded that the "Sengazhuneer Odai" (tank), where Sengazhuneer Flower (a blue flower famous for its scent) is grown for purpose of performing Pooja to Goddess Neelothbalambal, be 'retrieved from encroachers.'

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Joint Commissioner Kavitha assured that the entire Sengazhuneer Odai would be retrieved and restored to its original glory.

Officials said the tank had been encroached for a long time,"that is seven or eight years". But the encroachments had to be removed as the temple needed flowers for pooja.

The tank had 32 Ponds within it where the rare flower was grown. But due to neglect 28 ponds had been encroached, and the flower was facing extinction, Kavitha said.

Kavitha said Gajendran, the Executive officer, had been transferred, and the new officer should have taken charge only after verifying the jewels.

On the demand for assessment of the jewels, she said any decision on that should be taken by the higher officials.

The temple's 'car' (chariot) is said to be the biggest in India.

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