Thiyaganur village in Thalaivasal taluk, about 70 km from here, wore a festive look as villagers and officials from the district administration gathered in large numbers for the inauguration of a dhyana mandapam (meditation centre) here on Friday.

The mandapam, constructed at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh with contributions from public, philanthropists and industrialists, now shelters a six-foot-tall fifth century Buddha statue that was until now lying in an open agricultural field for many centuries.

The meditation hall can accompany 100 people and is expected to become a tourist spot once the district administration improves basic facilities like drinking water, toilets and transportation.

Constructed on the model of Buddha Mandapam in Rajgir in Bihar, the Buddha statue was placed on a three-foot sculpture of a lotus flower in full bloom. District Collector K. Maharabushanam planted a bodi sapling on the occasion and wanted it to be promoted as a tourist centre.

Recalling its history and quoting literature, officials said that Thalaivasal and Aragalur were earlier called as ‘Mhada Nadu’ and Buddhist followers worshipped the statue. A farmer K. Duraisamy in 1955 donated 20 cents of land for construction of a temple or mandapam so that the statue can be relocated. But with no initiatives, the statue continued to remain unpreserved. Bhumi puja was performed for construction of the mandapam in October 10, 2012 and the statue was shifted inside on May 23, 2013. Villagers who could not contribute financially, assisted in the construction activities as over 60 per cent of the work was completed with flooring, electrical works yet to be completed.

Villagers want the four-km stretch from Thalaivasal to Thiyaganur to be relaid as potholes would discourage tourists and also wanted the basic amenities to be fulfilled.

Superintendent of Police R. Sakthivel, District Revenue Officer S. Selvaraj, Public Relations Officer M. Palanisamy, tahsildars and officials from various departments participated.