Coimbatore: About 150 volunteers gathered at Sundakkamuthur as early as 7 am on Sunday and began cleaning a historic well that is located here.
Earlier this month, a team of heritage enthusiasts spotted this over 200-year-old well in Sundakkamuthur and reported the same to the Archaeology department who did not show much interest in it. Hence, city-based NGO ‘Kovai Kulangal Padhukaapu Amaipu’ decided to clean and restore this well. Sice the beginning of June during weekends, this NGO along with its team of volunteers have been working to clean up this well. Speaking to DC about this activity, Mr. Manikandan R, one of the founders of this NGO said “This historical well that is believed to having been built in the Naicker’s period looked beyond recognition when we started the cleaning work. It has inscriptions engraved on it and cravings of women, fish and face of old cultural sculptures.
A temple is located in this vicinity and its authorities are cooperative in assisting us with the cleaning activity. Very soon we are hopeful of bringing this well back to life.” Another source told DC that this well could be as deep as 50-ft and it has several fligh tofstairs. In the past, this location where this well stands, doubled up as a resting place for those who travelled to Kerala.
Originally, there was a Lord Ganesha temple that failed to stand the test of time. Currently, another temple that is dedicated to a Goddess stands here.
Mr. Manikandan further said that from the following weekend onwards, machinery would be used to clean this well as it was impossible for human beings to venture deep inside. “Once we receive funds, we have plans to carry out the work on a daily basis and in 15 days time this historic well will be restored,” he added.
