100-Year-Old Vinayagar Statue Unearthed

A 100-year-old Vinayagar (Ganesha) statue has been discovered while desilting the Sithi Vinayagar Temple pond in Karaikudi. In the Karaikudi area of Sivaganga district, desilting works are underway on all ponds and canals under the municipality as part of a rainwater harvesting scheme. Desilting work is currently in progress at the pond opposite the Chekkalai Sithi Vinayagar Temple. Yesterday, the clay dug out from the pond was dumped in the upper area. Some car drivers there noticed that it contained a deity's pedestal and a Vinayagar statue. They immediately cleaned the statue and placed it in a 10-foot-deep pit dug in the middle of the pond. People of the area have been lighting lamps and offering worship to the Vinayagar. Speaking about this, a man named Palaniappan said: "In 1912, our grandfather Venkatachalam Chettiar had this pond dug. When the work was completed, a Vinayagar statue was installed in it and it was filled with water. Until 1951, a guardian was appointed and the pond was looked after. After that, without adequate maintenance, the pond turned to mud and slush. Now, during the desilting, this 100-year-old Vinayagar statue and pedestal have been found. The letters 'KPSV' are carved on it," he said.