CHENNAI, INDIA, August 11, 2008: Works for providing golden chariots in 14 temples across Tamil Nadu are under various stages of execution and they willready by next March, an official of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department said. At present, 35 temples have golden chariots. With the approval of 14 more golden chariots, nearly 50 temples in the state will have such glowing cars for parading the Deities.
A government official, Mr. Periyakaruppan, said these chariots are using technology and tradition at the same time. “Work is currently on. With technological development, making golden chariots has become easy, even though it is costly. Some temples feel that having a golden chariot takes them a grade higher and improves the devotees’ view of the temple. The government plays a facilitating role,” he said.
Each golden chariot costs between US$ 35,000 and $50,000. This amount will be borne by the temples themselves. The temples where the chariots are coming up are Kottai Mariyamman temple, Dindigul, Arthanareeshwarar temple , Thiruchengodu, Masaniamman temple, Coimbatore, Vekkaliyamman temple, Trichy, Angala Parameswari Amman temple, Melmalaiyanur , Kaliyur Amman temple, Subavaneswar temple, Salem, Sholingur Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple, Murugan temple, Azhagarkoil, Vekkudiar Kaliamman temple, Ariya Kuruchi and Bhagawathi Amman temple, Kanyakumari.