Although Avudaiyarkovil is noted for its famous temple dedicated to Sri Athmathaswamy built by Manickavasagar, not much effort has been taken for developing it into a tourist centre.
No adequate parking facility is available for vehicles by which pilgrims from different parts of the country arrive at this small village panchayat. Haphazard parking of vehicles is an eyesore all along the East Car Street in front of the temple premises. The fact that a bus belonging to the State Express Transport Corporation is being parked right in front of the temple speaks volumes about the potential for pilgrims and tourists visiting the village and the need for a bus stand in Avudaiyarkovil.
According to its residents, the halting of the bus in front of the temple has been causing inconvenience to the devotees. M. Pazhaniappan, a trader, said that the bus, bound for Chennai, leaves Avudaiyarkovil at 8 p.m. but is halted in front of the temple right from the morning. Although the transport authorities have been advised not to use the temple zone as a bus stand, it has fallen on deaf ears.
Official sources said that Avudaiyarkovil had been declared a heritage town by virtue of religious and architectural significance of the temple. A proposal has been taken up for setting up a bus stand in Avudaiyarkovil.
Some development works were taken up at an estimate of Rs. 25 lakh way back in 2004-05 but that was quite meagre.
There was a strong case for developing Avudaiyarkovil into a tourism attraction centre with generous financial sanction, feel its residents. They said that there was no spacious cottage for devotees visiting the temple. Only a small cottage, that too donated by Erode-based donors, catered to the needs of pilgrims.
Seashore belt
Further, the Tourism Department should also take up steps for starting restaurants so that apart from Avudaiyarkovil, the tourism potential of the seashore belt of Avudaiyarkovil taluk could be fully utilised.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Tamil Nadu / by M. Balaganessin / Pudukottai – July 12th, 2016