The legend says that Yama created this Pond and worshiped Shiv Linga regularly after taking a dip in this pond. Thus, he got rid of his sin and got back his staff (danda). I am taking about the temple Tank of Dandeeswarar Temple, which is located in Velachery, one of the most happening places of the city.
Historically, the temple can be dated to the 10th century CE. As per the practice, the temple would not have been built without this tank. So, this pond in its original form must be as old as this temple.
Covering an area of about 0.4 acres, this pond is not maintained properly. The walls around the tank has become the preferred location for public convenience by passers-by. However, of late, the residents of Vealchery show interest to renovate the tank. Few months ago, they have taken steps to clean the pond as well as the surround area, which is really encouraging.
Happy travelling.
Note: As per a report, there were about 650+ waterbodies in Chennai region till 1980s. Today, only a fraction of them exist. And, most of those surviving waterbodies hardly have water and even some of them that have water had been shrunk badly. In Chennai, there are tank roads without tanks nearby and lake view roads without any lake in the vicinity. There is a high possibility that even the few waterbodies that we have today might vanish in the near future. I thought of visiting the currently surviving waterbodies of Chennai and its suburbs and write about them in my blog as a series.
Historically, the temple can be dated to the 10th century CE. As per the practice, the temple would not have been built without this tank. So, this pond in its original form must be as old as this temple.
Covering an area of about 0.4 acres, this pond is not maintained properly. The walls around the tank has become the preferred location for public convenience by passers-by. However, of late, the residents of Vealchery show interest to renovate the tank. Few months ago, they have taken steps to clean the pond as well as the surround area, which is really encouraging.
Happy travelling.
Note: As per a report, there were about 650+ waterbodies in Chennai region till 1980s. Today, only a fraction of them exist. And, most of those surviving waterbodies hardly have water and even some of them that have water had been shrunk badly. In Chennai, there are tank roads without tanks nearby and lake view roads without any lake in the vicinity. There is a high possibility that even the few waterbodies that we have today might vanish in the near future. I thought of visiting the currently surviving waterbodies of Chennai and its suburbs and write about them in my blog as a series.
