week 8-14 Feb:
• For centuries, the Chola-era tank that belongs to Varadharaja Perumal temple on Kulakarai Street in Poonamallee, served multiple purposes. It helped in irrigating paddy fields and water drawn from here was used in homes. The tank was the centre of activity during annual events including the temple car festival.
• Now, the tank, which is spread over more than one acre amid fast-developing areas off Poonamalle High (PH) Road, has become a garbage dump.
• The tank is made from the traditional brick and lime mortar method.
• The tank was known as white lotus pond as it was covered with the flowers throughout the year. Now, it is covered only by sheets of algae.
• The tank on Kulakarai Street is the bigger of the two tanks of the temple. The smaller tank is on Sannithi Street.
• Efforts have been taken to renovate the tank. Initially, a sum of Rs. 1.65 lakh has been allotted to build a fence around the tank to protect it from misuse and prevent people from falling into it.