Carvings on withered trees to welcome Girivalam devotees

Speaking to DT Next, R Madurai Manikanda Raja, who leads the team, said, “We were hired to carve images on the withered trees. We have started work. Based on the tree’s shape and size we will be able to complete the carvings on one tree in a week.”

He said he has arrived with three other wood carvers. “As the work progresses and depending on the complexity involved, we plan to bring more carvers from Mahabalipuram,” he added. When asked how much his team would be paid for the work, he said he was unwilling to reveal the amount as it was the government which was paying his team.

Tiruvannamalai Collector KS Kandasamy, when asked about the initiative, said, “We brought the carvers from Puducherry where they were working. Though we contacted them two months ago and brought them here, they went back citing poor health. That is why the project was delayed. We had earlier planned it in such a way that all 60 withered trees would be completely carved before the Karthigai Deepam festival starting on November 14.” He said the project was estimated to cost Rs 8 lakh.

The first tree being carved sports a lizard on the left branch and a stork on the right. Plans are afoot to carve birds, snails and reptiles such as lizards on other trees.

The novel idea has drawn a good response from the public as in addition to adding beauty to the location, it may help to ensure that the idea was emulated in other places which had withered trees. “Usually such withered trees are cut down and new ones planted in their place. This is the first time they are being given a new lease of life in a different avatar,” said S Loganathan of Tiruvannamalai.