Plea to develop Kannagi Temple

CHENNAI: AIADMK MLA representing Andipatti constituency, M Thanga Thamizhselvan, on Friday requested the State government to provide black-topped road to the ancient temple for Kannagi, the legendary woman in Tamil epic Silapathikaram, located on Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.The AIADMK member said that for hundreds of years, devotees had been visiting this Mangala Devi temple located at Vannathiparai reserve forest area on the border of Kerala. If a black-topped road is provided, it would help the devotees reach the temple easily. The 1934 Government Gazette clearly says that “the people have the right to use and maintain the path leading to the temple to a width of 12 feet which path is described below within Vannathiparai village.”Minister for Forests KT Pachamal said permission of the National Biodiversity Authority and the Supreme Court should be obtained for laying a road leading to Mangala Devi temple. Besides, if a black-topped road is laid, it may disturb the wild animals in the area. However, the issue would be sorted out by bringing it to the notice of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.