It has been almost a decade since the chant of mantras were heard in the Masarayar Perumal Temple at Narasimhanaickenpalayam in Periyanaickenpalayam. People from the neighbouring 18 villages used to flock to the 80-year-old temple every festive season but  only bats and insects are the only visitors. Those in charge of its maintenance have moved out of the village in search of jobs.

“I remember how the temple festival was celebrated with crackers, light and music when I was young. The whole village enjoyed the festivities that took place once in seven years. That is an old story now. The temple has been mercilessly abandoned,” said K Rangarajan, a resident.

Rangarajan remembered a time when people from even neighbouring villages visited the temple frequently for special poojas, but the lack of maintenance has resulted in the abandoning and now the temple has been totally shutdown .
C Dhandapani, another resident, claimed that the temple which was first built by farmers of the area slowly became unused as the people maintaining it moved to towns in search of business.

“Until now, no one has come forward to renovate or repair the temple. But now, slowly, the village people forthcoming. So now is the time for the authorities to assist such that poojas could commence at the temple,” he added.

“The temple is worth several crores and is located on a three-acre land. If utilised properly, it will return to its past glory,” added Dhandapani.

Narasimmanaickenpalayam Panchayat President M Anandhan assured that the issue would be brought to the notice of the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board so that renovation could be undertaken at the earliest.