Source

TIRUVARUR, INDIA, September 14, 2004: A total of 3,450 temples in the State have been renovated and kumbabishekam performed in the last three years, P.C. Ramasamy, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister, has said. A sum of US$3.5 million had been allotted for renovating 6,000 small temples in Adi Dravida colonies this year. Annadhanam (free feeding) was being implemented in 171 temples and 15 million people had benefited under the scheme. He was reviewing the performance of executive officers of temples in Tiruvarur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Villupuram districts at the Collectorate here yesterday. He said trustees had been appointed for 79 big temples. P. Ekambaram, Tiruvarur Collector, urged the Minister to help in the construction of pilgrim waiting centres in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts and Karaikal in Pondicherry. (HPI note: In India, nearly all temples are under government control, with the executive officer being appointed by a government minister.)

Post Views: 621