CM Edappadi K Palaniswami's quiet visit to Coonoor temple

COONOOR: Chief Minister Edappadi K.Palaniswami made what may be called a 'quiet pilgrimage' to Coonoor hills on Saturday morning and participated in the consecration function of the Goddess Muthalamman temple located at Ottupatarrai area here in Coonoor.

While Mr Palaniswami’s trip was personal, the event ended in an anti-climax of sorts, as a flag pole erected by the party cadres fell and injured a person here, causing a flutter. 

Though much hype was created on his visit to Coonoor and his showing keen interest in participating in the temple function, it turned to be a low-key one with not many people turning up to the venue. 

Dr C. Gopalakrishnan, AIADMK MP of Nilgiris, who presided over the proceedings of the temple function in his area and is believed to have  influenced the Chief Minister to take part in the temple function, said it was one of the oldest temples in Coonoor and its consecration now has attained significance.

Mr Palaniswami, who arrived at the temple complex by around 10.40 am on Saturday spent 40 minutes inside the temple and took part in the ceremonies and rituals related to the consecration.

He also inaugurated the “annadhanam” at a nearby hall.   However, he did not address the gathering and refused to meet the scribes gathered at the temple waiting for him to speak to them.  

The function which already attracted the wrath of the Greens last week for axing of about half-a-dozen trees along the road leading to the temple, was not without a small mishap near the venue.  

Minutes after the Chief Minister's convoy crossed the Laws Falls area along the Ooty-NH near Coonoor town, a flag pole erected by AIADMK cadres along the road fell on one Farook (62), a resident of Coonoor,  who was travelling on a motorcycle. He was rushed to the government hospital here with injuries on his head and later he was referred to Coimbatore GH for treatment.