The hill road severely damaged at the Kumaragiri Dhandayuthapani temple in Erumapalayam in Salem.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement.
Devotees of the 100-year-old Kumaragiri Dhandayuthapani Temple at Erumapalayam on the Salem-Chennai National Highway in the district have urged the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department to re-lay the severely damaged road to the hill temple.Devotees have to climb 542 steps from the foothills to reach the temple, situated atop the Kumaragiri Hill, which is under the HR and CE Department.In 2000, the State government laid a 20-feet wide road for 2.25 km to the hill under the Namakku Naame Scheme. However, the roads have been severely damaged over the years, and the devotees are currently unable to use the road.Salem district Janata Dal (Secular) president G. Velayudham said that the Kumbabishekam works for the temple began in 2015. Though the temple works were not completed, the temple was consecrated in 2026. He added that the road for the hill temple remains severely damaged. “Devotees visiting the hill temple on two-wheelers are unable to commute safely. While the temple remains open till 8 p.m., devotees are forced to return back before 6 p.m. due to the poor road facilities. The HR and CE Department should look into the issue and re-lay the road soon, he said.When contacted, the temple trustee, A.A. Arumugam, said a tender was issued to lay the road and construct the side wall for the temple at a cost of ₹1.50 crore. After completing the construction of the side wall and other pending works, the road will be re-laid, he added. Published - July 16, 2026 07:37 pm IST
