It was mind-blowing to witness the villagers of Ayalavadi in the Tiruvannamalai district have successfully renovated a thousand-year-old Lord Shiva temple that had been buried under soil near a lake. They also performed a pooja to honor the lingam of Lord Aalavai Sundareswarar.

The Aalavai Sundareswarar Temple, which has stood for centuries, is situated by a lake in Ayalavadi village, adjacent to Vandavasi. Over time, erosion from the lake has caused the upper part and sides of the temple to be gradually buried under soil as the lake's shoreline expanded. Only the temple tower remains, albeit in ruins. For many years, villagers have been able to access the temple through a single narrow entrance, allowing only one person at a time to bow down and worship.

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In response to this situation, the villagers initiated repair efforts by excavating the temple and removing the soil that covered its upper parts and sides. Using machinery, they are currently working to uncover these areas. During this process, people have eagerly come to witness and pay homage to the ancient deity.

The local community now urges the Tamil Nadu government to promptly inspect the temple, allocate necessary funds, and commence reconstruction work before allowing public worship to resume. Their dedication to preserving this historical and spiritual site underscores the significance of the Aalavai Sundareswarar Temple to the Ayalavadi villagers and the broader cultural heritage of the region.

Source : anbu_thane_ellam_sethu , The Commune Mag , Lost Temples