Pey Azhwar avathara sthalam on Arundel Street in dilapidated state

The Pey Azhwar avathara sthalam on Arundel Street belonging to Sri Madhava Perumal Temple has been in a dilapidated state for quite some time.

Till a few years ago, Pey Azhwar used to make an annual trip to the avathara sthalam on Aippasi Sathayam. Thirumanjanam used to take place there  with the Prabhandaham members reciting the sacred verses. In the evening, Pey Azhwar went on a mangalagiri procession around the four big streets.

However, given the dilapidated state, this annual procession has not taken place in the last few years.

While the Pey Azhwar avathara sthalam belonging to Sri Athi Kesava Perumal Temple on the same street has been well- maintained with personnel posted by temple trustee N C Sridhar to take care of the nandavanam, the avathara sthalam belonging to Sri Madhava Perumal Temple has been shut out with tall aluminum sheets.

Sadly one now finds garbage bins at the entrance of this sacred location.

This writer managed to take a few photographs of the dilapidated state of the avathara sthalam from between the aluminum sheets.

With the renovation exercise at the Madhava Perumal Temple complex set to start in Avani (later this month), this is ideal time for the dilapidated Pey Azhwar Avathara Sthalam to be restored to its glory and for the Aippasi Sathayam utsavam and the procession to be revived.

• Report, photo; S. Prabhu