Tamil Nadu Government today announced that more than 1,000 temples under its administration across the state would be renovated and consecrated this year.
Making a suo motu statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa referred to 'aagama' rules, which said temples have to be renovated and consecrated once in 12 years.
"A total of 5,351 temples were renovated in the last three years and consecrations were performed, which is unprecendented," she added, adding 1,006 temples would be renovated and consecrated this year.
Based on the estimates submitted by a committee comprising archaeologists, the government would renovate and maintain the murals in the five-storeyed temple towers of Naarumboonaatha Swamy temple at Thirupudaimaruthur in Tirunelveli district at a cost of Rs 1.42 crore, she said.
While 'annadhanam' (free meals) scheme would be expanded to another 106 temples at a cost of Rs 3.87 crore, assistance to renovate 1,006 temples coming under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments departments and located in villages would be given, the Chief Minister said.
Jayalalithaa also announced that a pilgrim centre would be constructed for the benefit of devotees visiting the famous Arunachaleeswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai at a cost of Rs 25 crores to accommodate 500 pilgrims, adding that a similar centre would be constructed for Sri Ramanathaswamy temple at Rameswaram.
