Chennai: Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister Ramesh on Friday announced that renovation works will be carried out in 366 dilapidated temples across Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs 245 crore.
Making 106 announcements in the Assembly, the minister said the package includes Rs 125 crore for 64 temples that are over 1,000 years old. He also detailed allocations for fully dilapidated temples, partially damaged temples and other identified shrines, with works planned across multiple locations.
Among specific projects, a third prakaram mandapam will be built at the Kundrathur Subramaniya Swamy Temple near Chennai at Rs 5.50 crore. A shelter mandapam for devotees will be constructed at Anbil Mariamman Temple in Tiruchirappalli district at Rs 1.50 crore, while new pongal mandapams will be set up at select temples in Tiruvannamalai and Coimbatore districts at Rs 1 crore each.
The minister also announced new wooden temple cars at three Chennai temples at Rs 2 crore each, besides 25 temple cars at Rs 16 crore and restoration of 100 dilapidated temple tanks at Rs 40 crore. Additional measures include a new sewage treatment plant at Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple (Rs 11 crore), free mini-bus services for devotees to Tiruchendur and to Karaiyar Ayyanar Temple, and welfare steps for temple staff such as enhanced earned leave benefits and fee concessions in temple-run colleges.
To address staffing gaps, the minister said a Temple Staff Recruitment Board will be formed to fill vacancies in temples and temple-run educational institutions through direct recruitment. He also announced publication of 108 books, including previously unpublished temple histories and Tamil devotional literature, and said temple sthala histories will be brought out in English, along with festivals and cultural events linked to saints, Alwars, Siddhars and village deities.
