The historic Thenur Mandapam, standing majestically on the Vaigai River bed near Vandiyur for over three centuries, would perhaps not see another Chithirai festival. Years of neglect has led to cracks on the edifice and it has tilted to one side, making it extremely vulnerable to a collapse.
Every year, the mandapam witnesses a sea of devotees when Lord Kallazhagar visits Vandiyur while on the way to Azhagar Hills after the Chithirai festival in the city. Earlier, Lord Kallazhagar used to be taken inside the mandapam. But, given its dilapidated condition, Azhagar started camping near the Mandapam.
The 24-pillar madapam with a height of 10 metres has developed cracks and the stone used during the construction of the structure has started sliding due to lact of proper maintenance. Arumugam, a resident of Vandiyur, while recollecting his past memories playing in the mandapam, said, “About three decades ago, there used to be a ten-foo-thick river soil embankment around the mandapam providing strength to the basement of the structure.” Now, all the sand has been removed from the river bed making it weak.
“Now, no one enters the mandapam out of fear because it could collapse anytime,” he added.
“The letters exchanged between king Thirumalai Naicker and Christian priests are preserved at the Tamil Nadu State Archives in Chennai which has mentions of the Thenur Mandapam, said to have been constructed during the Naicker period,” said P Arumugam, author of “Thenurum Azhagarvizha Kattamaippum”, a publication that throws light on the historical background of the Thenur Madapam