Century old Hindu temple chariot vandalized in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 02 August 2003, 02:56 GMT]
Cultural vandalism is again on the increase in Jaffna district and the managements of Hindu temples in the peninsula have taken precautionary measures to safeguard several centuries' old antiques and artifacts, made of gold and other metals, and other art works made of wood in their temples, cultural authorities said.

The 'Ther" (chariot) festival of the Echankatty Kalatty Amman temple in Jaffna town was held Thursday, with a large gathering of devotees. On the previous day evening, when the temple authorities opened the 'Ther Kottahai ' (chariot garage) to bring the 'Ther" out to decorate for the next day’s festival they were taken aback when they saw that a valuable piece art work made of wood and fixed at the bottom of the 'THER' was removed, sources said.

The temple authorities made a complaint to the Jaffna Police. However, the 'THER' festival of the temple was held Thursday, temple sources said.