It’s a long walk to fetch water for Srirangam temple

Flow in the Kollidam has declined drastically over the last few days

Despite the recent intervention of Tiruchi Corporation to divert the flow of water in the Kollidam so as to enable the priests of Sri Rangathaswamy Temple in Srirangam to fetch water for performing puja and abhishekam to the presiding deity, the flow in the river has dwindled again.

Though water sources are available inside the temple, the important rituals are done only with the holy water fetched in traditional bronze pots from the Kollidam. It has been the practice for over several centuries.

A group of people comprising priests and ardent devotees of Lord Sri Ranganathar walk to the Kollidam, situated about half a km away, to fetch water every day. They go to the river before dawn to fetch water to perform puja to the presiding deity for Viswaroopa Darishanam, the first seva at Sri Ranganathaswamy Sannathi in the morning. They take pride in doing the service.

There was no problem till about six years ago as the river had good flow near Thirumangai Azhvar Padithurai on the southern bank of the river. As the source dried up, the priests have to walk for about two km on the river to fetch water near Nochiam.

Acting on the plea of V. Jawahar, the councillor representing Ward 2, the Corporation intervened in the matter and planned to dig a small channel in the river bed to divert the flow close to Thirumangai Azhvar Padithurai. It engaged men and machines to divert the flow. The priests felt that the move saved time and energy in bringing water to the temple. Also, a large number of local residents were able to take bath in the river.

However, the flow is said to have come down drastically over the last few days as the residents of Nochiam resorted to diverting the flow again to the northern side.

“The move yielded expected results for a few days. But the flow has come down again due to diversion of flow. I have once again taken up the issue with Corporation officials,” says Mr. Jawahar.