CHENNAI: Ancient Parthasarathy temple in Triplicane has been a source of employment to many vendors selling petty goods for generations. Recently, representatives of Unesco asked them to vacate the place at the earliest.
Unesco has documented a film in 1850 in which the front elevation of the temple is clearly visible. So, they want the temple to be restored back to its glory by constructing a front elevation like in Tirupati with an asbestos sheet.
This has left many merchants in dilemma, who on Thursday protested against authorities after which three shops were sealed by them.
“I am here from more than 30 years and have always paid the rent on time. Now, authorities want us to leave immediately and a notice was never issued,” complained one of the vendors.
But, deputy commissioner Jyothi Ramalakshmi has another story to say. “Unesco has instructed merchants to leave during consecration . But, the sellers pleaded with us and assured that they will leave in six months. It has been almost two years now and they are still here. Moreover, we have promised to construct alternative spaces for them, but they turned a deaf ear,” she clarified.
