Author: Staff Reporter
Publication: The Hindu
Date: February 15, 2008
URL: http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/15/stories/2008021556580100.htm
What was meant to be an exercise to infuse
amity among the police and public near here turned out to be a unique spiritual
and social adventure when efforts of the men in khaki led to the unravelling
of an ancient temple shrouded for decades by wild growth. Of course, the police-public
interface suffused enough friendliness.
When a posse of police personnel descended
recently on Periyamathiakoodalur village near Chinnadarapuram in Karur district,
it certainly was neither tense nor volatile. People of the village welcomed
the law-enforcers warmly and they all set out to proceed on a positive agenda.
While on one side a health camp got under
way, games for each category of people _ children, youth, girls, boys and
elders _ were organised in which the police and the public tested their strength.
Elocution contest, fancy dress, song and other contests infused gaiety in
the atmosphere.
Superintendent of Police K. Shanmugavel and
senior district police officials were at hand to participate in and supervise
the proceedings.
It was then that a couple of elders pointed
to a wild growth of greenery and earthen mound and claimed that a small shrine
lay hidden there. They also claimed that only a few villagers aged above 75
had seen the temple.
Under instructions from the SP, the police
removed the mound to find a marvellous shrine. The temple is said to be over
1,200 years old. The main deity is Madhayana Eswarar. Also present are images
of Lord Vinayaka and the phallic symbol inscribed on a granite stone.
