Trial run of new silver car held at Swami Nellaiyappar Temple

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekarbabu and Assembly Speaker M. Appavu inaugurated the trial run of the newly built silver car of Swami Nellaiyappar Ganthimathi Ambal Temple in Tirunelveli on Friday.

Mr. Sekarbabu recalled that the temple’s centuries-old silver car was destroyed in a fire in 1991. Following the accident, devotees proposed making a new silver car. As the temple administration lacked funds for making a new silver car, it solicited donations from the devotees and business people, he added.

According to a statement from the district administration, 425 kg of silver was needed to build the silver car. A total of 405.217 kg of silver had been received from the public as donation and 24.5 kg of silver purchased using the money donated by the devotees and others for the silver car.

As much as 429.717 kg of silver was melted, made into a lump, converted into plates with ornamental works and mounted on a wooden car. The new silver car stood 18 feet in height.

Tirunelveli Collector R. Sukumar and other officials were present.