Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin unveiled a new statue of King Kalingarayan on Sunday. He performed the inauguration through a video conference from Chennai. The event took place in Erode district.
Honoring a Historic Figure
The statue honors King Kalingarayan, a historical figure who built the Kalingarayan canal and a check dam across the Bhavani River. These structures were constructed approximately 743 years ago. They are located in Bhavani near Erode.
Details of the New Installation
The Chief Minister unveiled a seven-foot-high full-length bronze statue. He also inaugurated a library dedicated to King Kalingarayan. The total cost for these projects reached Rs 35 lakh.
The new statue now stands at Vellode. This is the same spot where an older statue of the king previously stood. Authorities removed the old statue for road expansion work. Every year, people garland the statue on Kalingarayan Day. This celebration occurs on the fifth day of the 'Thai' month.
The Significance of the Kalingarayan Canal
The Kalingarayan canal serves a vital purpose. It was originally built for water management and to raise groundwater levels. Today, the canal irrigates about 15,000 acres of land in Erode district.
Farmers use this water to cultivate important crops. These crops include turmeric, paddy, banana, and sugarcane. The canal draws water from the Bhavani River.
The Bhavani River starts from Kalingarayanpalayam at Kodumudi Avudaiyar Rock. It flows for a distance of 90 kilometers. Finally, it merges into the Noyyal River.
Government Plans and Allocations
Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy spoke at the event. He announced significant plans for the canal's future. The government has allocated Rs 86 crore for reconstruction work on the Kalingarayan canal.
This reconstruction work is scheduled to take place during a 45-day water stoppage period. The stoppage will begin in March.
Minister Muthusamy also mentioned educational initiatives. A book about King Kalingarayan has been published. The minister stated he will bring this book to the attention of the Chief Minister.
He further indicated that appropriate action will be taken. The goal is to include the history of King Kalingarayan in school textbooks. This move aims to educate future generations about this important historical figure.
