The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Rs. 38-crore Central aid for Chidambaram temple sought

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Thursday, Nov 05, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Rs. 38-crore Central aid for Chidambaram temple sought

Special Correspondent

CUDDALORE: The State government has sought a Central assistance of Rs. 285 crore for improving temples and of which Rs. 38 crore would be earmarked for the Chidambaram Natarajar Temple, said K.R.Periyakaruppan, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR & CE).

He made this observation at a function organised on Tuesday to inaugurate high-mast lamps and lighting arrangements around the Siva Gangai tank in the Chidambaram temple at a cost of Rs. 26.5 lakh.

A sum of Rs. 7 lakh had been drawn for the purpose from the general funds of the HR & CE Department and Rs. 19.5 lakh from Palani Thandayuthapani Swamy Temple as per the rules.

Temple lands

Though the department would not interfere in the rituals of the Natarajar temple, it would take over its entire administration. In fact, the temple owned 3,489 acres of irrigated and rain-fed lands but no revenue was accruing from it.

Therefore, the government had appointed two revenue officials to retrieve the temple lands.

Referring to the contentious proposal to collect fees for special darshan in the Natarajar temple, the Minister said the system existed in all the temples under the purview of the department.

Idol protection centre

From the podium, Health Minister M.R.K.Panneerselvam inaugurated an idol protection centre put up at a cost of Rs. 24 lakh in the Thirupadiripuliyur Padaleeswarar Temple at Cuddalore. It was the 15th such centre established to safeguard the idols.

HR & CE Commissioner P.R.Sampath and Joint Commissioner N.Thirumagal, District Collector P.Seetharaman and District Revenue Officer S.Natarajan participated.

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