Over 9,000 temple works taken up with ₹1,185 crore from donors: Sekarbabu

Minister Sekarbabu highlights Rs. 1,185 crore donations for temple works, including silver kavacham and diamond crown contributions.

Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu on Wednesday said that in the last three years devotees have donated ₹1,185 crore for 9,491 works in temples. “It is under the Chief Minister M. K. Stalin’s direction that donors are encouraged. They can bring their own contractors. The department ensures quality in the works that are being carried out,” he said.  

The Minister was speaking after handing over a 12 kg weighing silver kavacham meant for the Sri Periyandavar idol at the Karkuvel Ayyanar temple in Thoothukudi district donated by a devotee N. Anandkumar. “Donors have contributed towards making of the silver temple cars of Sri Kalikambal temple in Chennai and Nellaiappar Temple in Thirunelveli. A total of 300 kgs of silver have been donated. A devotee is also to donate a diamond crown worth Rs. 1 crore for the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple,” Mr. Sekarbabu said.  

As far as temples that are over a thousand years old, the Chief Minister has given a total subsidy of Rs. 300 crore for renovating these structures and donors have provided Rs. 120 crore for these temples. Of 287 temples for which renovation works were taken up, 37 have been completed, he added.