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MADURAI, INDIA, March 2, 2004: The ongoing work of installing silver kavacham (ornate covering of the Deity and sanctum) at the Velliambalam in the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at a cost of around US$165,000 will be completed by the end of next month. The chairman of the renovation committee, Karumuttu T. Kannan, told reporters that 50 percent of the work to cover an 898.99 sq. ft. area, including the three inner walls and the ceiling of the Velliambalam with silver plates, had been completed. A total of 15 stapathis (craftsmen) of the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation were involved in the work. Of the approximately 1,452 lbs of silver required for the project, a little more than half has been handed over to the Corporation to complete the first phase. Though 255 lbs silver was available with the renovation panel, 348 lbs was still need to install the kavacham. The kumbabhishekam (dedication) is planned for May, coinciding with the annual Chithirai festival. Mr. Kannan, along with the Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment, P. Baskaran, inspected the work. He also had a discussion with members of the renovation committee. It had been proposed to lay granite flooring in the Velliambalam, he said. The committee would continue to receive silver offered by devotees to fulfill the work in an exemplary manner, he added.

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