After more than 80 years since last cleaned, the tank in Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai town, was rejuvenated on Saturday and reopened for the public on the occasion of the Maha Deepam.
Minister for Public Works and Highways E.V. Velu, who was accompanied by Collector B. Murugesh, inaugurated the restored tank. Colloquially known as Ayyankulam or Ayyan Theerthavari Kulam, the tank, which is maintained by Tiruvannamalai municipality, has remained closed ever since four persons drowned in the tank in a stampede that broke out on the auspicious occasion of Mahodaya Amavasya in February 2016.
Following this, the tank was closed off by barricades and the gates have remained locked. During festivals, priests were allowed by the police to draw water from the tank to the temple that is maintained by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.
