Minister launches automated manufacture of vibhuthi, kumkum in temples

‘The facilities will be extended to more temples depending on the requirement’

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P. K. Sekarbabu on Sunday launched automated vibhuthi and kumkum making in eight temples in the State. The machines installed at a total cost of ₹3 crore helps ensure quality and quantity of the products that are distributed to devotees after being offered to the respective deity.

Speaking to presspersons at the Devi Karumariamman Temple in Thiruverkadu after launching the facility in the presence of Minister for Dairy Development S. M. Nasar, he said the vibhuthi and kumkum made at these eight locations would be sent to other temples for use. On an average, 24 tonnes of vibhuthi and 18 tonnes of kumkum were required in temples under the purview of the HR&CE department every month.

The facilities to make kumkum were launched at the Bannariamman temple, Karumariamman temple in Thiruverkadu, Meenakshiamman temple in Madurai and Mariamman temple in Samayapuram and those to produce vibhuthi at Annamalayar temple in Tiruvannamalai, Subramanyaswamy temple in Tiruchendur, Palaniandavar temple in Palani and Jambukeshwarar temple in Thiruaanaikaval.  

“Depending on the requirement, the facilities would be extended to more temples. This was one of the 112 announcements made in the State Assembly last year. The 112 announcements require 1,691 works to be implemented,” Mr. Sekarbabu explained.  

The Minister said that work worth ₹10 crore to restore and renovate the Devi Karumariamman temple would commence soon. Arrangements were under way to conduct the kumbabhishekam of the Subramanyaswamy temple in Kundrathur, which has been slated for April 25, he added.  

HR&CE secretary B. Chandra Mohan, Commissioner J. Kumarabaran and Joint Commissioner of the Devi Karumariamman Temple Lakshmanan were present.