TAMIL DEVELOPMENT, RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENTS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITBLE ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT DEMAND NO.

47 POLICY NOTE 2011-12 INDEX S.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Introduction Administration Institutions Classification of Institutions Administrative Structure Jewel Verification Officers Auditing Engineers Executive Officers Administration of Mutts Temples and Tamil Advisory Committee Appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees Jurisdiction of Powers Appointment of a Fit Person Land Administration Revenue Courts Fair Rent Fixation Retrieval of Temple Lands Regularisation of Group Encroachments Subjects Page No. 1 1 2 2 3 9 9 9 11 11 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16

S.No. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Annadhanam Scheme

Subjects

Page No. 17 18 19 19 20 21

Spiritual and Moral Classes Marriages for the Poor Special Rejuvenation Camp for Elephants Rope Cars Thiruppani (i) Public contribution (ii) Own funds of the temples (iii) Diversion of surplus funds (iv) Government grant (v) Common good fund (vi) Temple development fund (vii) Village temples renovation fund (viii) Temple renovation and charitable fund (ix) Renovation by donors (x) Finance Commission fund Adi dravida and tribal people (xii) Tourism Department fund (xi) Renovation of the temple in the habitations of

27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35.

Thirukudamuzhuku Rain Water Harvesting and Renovation of Temple Tanks Revival of Kala Pooja Golden Cars and Silver Cars Maintenance and Preservation of Temple Wooden Cars Village Temple Poosarigal Welfare Board Oru Kala Pooja Scheme Basic Amentities for Devotees Distribution of Sarees/Dhoties

25 25 26 26 30 31 31 32 33

S.No. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51.

Subjects Safety of Icons and Valuables Temple Protection Force Karunai Illangal Educational Institutions and other Institutions Basic Amenities for Schools and Colleges Worship in Tamil Festivals Honouring Tamil Savants Thalavaralaru and Thalapuranam Pilgrims Guide Publishing Aagamas and other Books in Tamil Chartered Engineers Sthapathis Special Worship and Common Feast Refresher Training Course Appointment of Nathaswara Artists Welfare Schemes for Temple Employees i. Family Benefit Fund Scheme ii. Special Provident Fund Scheme iii. Temple Employees Welfare Scheme iv. Pension Schemes v. Financial Assistance to Children of Temple Employees.

Page No. 33 35 35 35 45 45 45 47 48 48 49 49 49 49 50 50

52. 53. 54. 55.

Kosaalas Thirukkoil Monthly Magazine Conclusion Annexure Part II Scheme

54 54 54 57

TAMIL DEVELOPMENT, RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENTS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT DEMAND NO.47 POLICY NOTE 2011-2012 INTRODUCTION The temples of Tamil Nadu are the encyclopedias of ancient culture, art, history and tradition of Tamil Nadu. Temples are not only the places of worship but also symbols of culture and heritage of the Tamils and also timelines of the majestic tradition of Hindu religion. It is the prime duty of the Government to administer and conserve these Temples and endowments more efficiently. 2. The most important tasks of this Department are to conduct worship according to the custom and tradition followed in temples, to provide amenities required for the devotees, to protect and maintain the temple properties, to preserve the temples heritage, etc. ADMINISTRATION 3. Even before the year 1925, measures were taken for the efficient administration and for the supervision of administrative works of the Hindu Religious Charitable

2 Institutions. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board was established in the year 1925. Hindu temples, Charitable Endowments and Holy Mutts were supervised by the Board. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board was abolished in 1951, paving the way for functioning as a Government Department. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act that was in force from 1951 encountered certain difficulties during implementation. In order to rectify these and integrate various amendments, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 22/ 1959 was enacted in the year 1959. This Act came into force from 01.01.1960. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959 underwent amendments suitable for the needs from time to time. Through this Act, it was enabled to supervise the temples and charitable endowments by widening the administration and defining the jurisdiction of powers of the Commissioner and the Subordinate Officers. INSTITUTIONS 4. There are 38,481 Hindu Religious and Jain Institutions under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Department. The details are as below: 1. Temples 2. Holy Mutts 3. Temples attached to Holy Mutts 4. Specific Endowments 5. Charitable Endowments 6. Jain temples TOTAL 36,441 56 57 189 17 38,481 1,721

3 CLASSIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONS 5. The Hindu religious institutions have been classified on the basis of annual income as listed institutions and nonlisted institutions as given below: S. No. Section Annual income of the Institution having an annual income of less than Rs.10,000 having an annual income of Rs.10,000 and less than Rs.2 lakh having an annual income of Rs.2 lakh and less than Rs. 10 lakh having an annual income of Rs.10 lakh and above Total Number of Institutions. 34,470

1. Non-listed institutions: under Section 49(1)

2. Listed Institutions Under Section 46(i)

3,331

3. Listed Institutions Under Section 46(ii)

498

4. Listed Institutions Under Section 46(iii)

182

38,481

4 ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE 6. Under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959 (Amended Act 39/1996) an officer in the cadre of the Indian Administrative Service is appointed and functions as the Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The Commissioner is heading the general administration and all activities of the Department. There are totally 2409 sanctioned posts which include the posts of the Commissioner, Officers, Sub-ordinate Officers, Executive Officers, Officers on deputation, Office Assistants, Drivers, Watchmen and Scavengers in the administration of this department. At present there are 1336 employees working in this department. At the Headquarters the following Officers are assisting the Commissioner. 1. Additional Commissioner (General) 2. Additional Commissioner (Enquiry) 3. Joint Commissioner (Head Quarters) 4. Joint Commissioner (Thiruppani) 5. Deputy Commissioner (Legal Cell) 6. Deputy Commissioner (Educational and Charitable Institutions) 7. Assistant Commissioner (Legal cell) 8. Assistant Commissioner (Verification) 9. Assistant Commissioner (Village Temple Poosarigal Welfare Board) 5. Assistant Engineer 4. Assistant Divisional Engineer S.No Cadre

5 Officers on Deputation No. of Department Officers 2 Revenue Department

1.

Special Officers (Temple Lands) / (District Revenue Officer cadre ) Superintending Engineer

2.

Highways Department/ Public Works Department Highways Department/ Public Works Department Highways Department/ Public Works Department Highways Department/ Public Works Department

3.

Executive Engineer

6 S.No 6. 7. Cadre Assistant Engineer (Electrical) Senior Draughting Officer No. of Department Officers 1 Electricity Department 1 Highways Department/ Public Works Department Highways Department/ Public Works Department Highways Department/ Public Works Department Treasuries Department Treasuries Department Finance Department, (Deputy Secretary cadre)

7 7.The above mentioned Officers are assisting the Commissioner rendering support in the administration of the Head Office and the Subordinate Offices, the establishment of employees, the management and the administration of temples, the establishment of temple employees, renovations, court cases, auditing, etc. 8. For the administrative convenience, the administration of this Department has been divided into 11 regions and 28 divisions. Each region is administered by a Joint Commissioner and each division is administered by an Assistant Commissioner. The details are as below: Sl. No. 1. Region Division Jurisdiction

8.

Junior Draughtsman

9.

Draughtsman

Joint Commissioner, Chennai Joint Commissioner, Vellore

1. Assistant Commissioner, Chennai 2. Assistant Commissioner, Thiruvallur 3. Assistant Commissioner, Kancheepuram 4. Assistant Commissioner, Vellore

Chennai District

2.

Thiruvallur District

10. 11. 12.

Senior Accounts Officer Assistant Accounts Officer Chief Audit Officer

1 1 1

Kancheepuram District

Vellore District

8 Sl. Region No. 3. Joint Commissioner, Salem Division 5. Assistant Commissioner, Dharmapuri District 6. Assistant Commissioner, Salem 7. Assistant Commissioner, Namakkal 4. Joint Commissioner, Coimbatore 8. Assistant Commissioner, Coimbatore 9. Assistant Commissioner, Erode 10. Assistant Commissioner, Tiruppur 5. Joint 11. Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Thanjavur Thanjavur Jurisdiction Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri District Salem District Namakkal District Coimbatore District and Nilgiris District Erode District Sl. No. Region

9 Division 12. Assistant Commissioner, Nagapattinam Jurisdiction Nagapattinam District(Except Sirkali, Mayiladuthurai and Tharangambadi Taluks) Thiruvarur District

13. Assistant Commissioner, Thiruvarur 6. Joint 14. Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Mayiladuthurai Kumbakonam

Tiruppur District

Thanjavur District (Except Thiruvidaimarudur and Kumbakonam Taluks)

Thiruvidaimaruthur, Kumbakonam Taluks in Thanjavur District and Mayiladuthurai, Sirkali and Tharangambadi Taluks in Nagapattinam District Cuddalore District

7. Joint Commissioner, Villupuram

15. Assistant Commissioner, Cuddalore

10 Sl. No. Region Division 16. Assistant Commissioner, Villupuram Jurisdiction Villupuram District Sl. No. Region

11 Division Jurisdiction Virudhunagar District

10. Joint 24. Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Sivagangai Virudhunagar 25. Assistant Commissioner, Paramakudi

17. Assistant Thiruvannamalai Commissioner, District Thiruvannamalai 8. Joint 18. Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Tiruchirappalli Tiruchirappalli 19. Assistant Commissioner, Ariyalur 20. Assistant Commissioner, Pudukottai 21. Assistant Commissioner, Karur 9. Joint 22. Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Madurai Madurai 23. Assistant Commissioner, Dindigul Tiruchirappalli District

Sivagangai District and Ramanatha puram District Tirunelveli District

Perambalur District and Ariyalur District Pudukottai District

11. Joint 26. Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Tirunelveli Tirunelveli 27. Assistant Commissioner, Thoothukudi 28. Assistant Commissioner, Nagercoil

Thoothukudi District

Kanniyakumari District

Karur District

Madurai District

9. Besides, there are 224 Inspectors serving as field officers at the Taluk level. 10. To assist the Joint Commissioner/ Executive Officer of Palani Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, there is a Deputy Commissioner and a Personal Assistant in the cadre of Assistant Commissioner.

Dindigul District and Theni District

12 11. 5 Personal Assistant posts in the cadre of Assistant Commissioner have been created in the temples at Tiruchendur, Madurai, Srirangam, Rameshwaram and Tiruttani where the executive officers are in the cadre of Joint commissioner. 5 Personal Assistants are serving in these posts. JEWEL VERIFICATION OFFICERS 12. To appraise the jewels, ornaments, and valuables of the temples there are six Deputy Commissioners and four Assistant Commissioners working as the Verification Officers in the regions of the Joint Commissioners. AUDITING 13. Two Deputy Chief Audit Officers, 19 Regional Audit Officers and 28 Assistant Audit Officers are assisting the Chief Audit Officer in auditing the accounts of the Hindu Religious Institutions. 14. Eight Senior Accounts Officers in the cadre of Regional Audit Officers are assisting the Executive Officers in the cadre of Joint Commissioner in eight temples. ENGINEERS 15. At the Headquarters, there is an Engineering Wing consisting of one Superintending Engineer, one Executive Engineer, one Assistant Divisional Engineer, Two Assistant Engineers, one Assistant Engineer (Electrical), one Senior Draughting Officer, Two Junior Draughtsmen and two

13 Draughtsmen to facilitate renovation works in the Religious Institutions by preparing estimates for supervision and for recording measurements. In every Joint Commissioners Office there is an Assistant Divisional Engineer and a Draughtsman (except Vilupuram Joint Commissioners Office). In every Assistant Commissioners Office there is an Assistant Engineer to carryout renovation works. 16. There are 3 posts of Executive Engineers, one each for the Joint Commissioner regions of Trichy, Salem and Madurai, and 3 posts of Assistant Engineers (Electrical) one each for the Joint Commissioner regions at Trichy, Salem and Madurai. 17. Apart from these, 8 Engineers are working in Palani, Samayapuram, Madurai, Tiruttani, Bannari, Marudamalai, Anaimalai and Alagarkoil temples, to facilitate renovation and construction works by preparing estimates, supervision, etc. 18. In order to carry out the Tiruppani works at Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Salem Joint Commissioners region, there are 4 Senior Draughtsmen posts in Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple, Tiruttani, Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai, and Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchencode. 19. In order to carry out the Tiruppani works at Joint Commissioners region of Chennai, Trichy, Madurai and Salem there are 4 Draughtsman posts in Arulmigu Lakshiminarasimhaswamy Temple, Sholingar, Arulmigu

14 Thayumanaswamy Temple, Rockfort, Trichy, Arulmigu Kallalagar Temple, Azhagarkoil, Arulmigu Anjaneyarswamy Temple, Nammakkal. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 20. Based on the significance, revenue, assets and other activities of temples, the following posts of Executive Officers have been sanctioned for the administration and supervision of the religious institutions. Sl. No. 1 Cadre Joint Commissioner/ Executive Officer Deputy Commissioner / Executive Officer Asst. Commissioner/ Executive Officer Executive Officer-Grade I Executive Officer-Grade II Executive Officer-Grade III Executive Officer-Grade IV Total No. of posts 10

15 ADMINISTRATION OF MUTTS 21. In Tamil Nadu, there are 56 Mutts and 19 specific endowments attached to them under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. To ensure the proper administration of these mutts, an Audit Section consisting of a Regional Audit Officer, two Audit Inspectors, and two Assistants is functioning in the Headquarters to assist the Commissioner. TEMPLES AND TAMIL 22. The Alwars, the Nayanmars and holy Ascetics had their worship sung in praise of the Deities of places visited by them only in classical Tamil. The Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Thirumandiram, Thirupugazh, Naalayira Divya Prabandam, etc rendered by such saintly souls nourished holy people, have helped for the healthy development of Tamil language. ADVISORY COMMITTEE 23. An Advisory Committee has been constituted by the Government as provided in the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1959 to render advice to the Government on the subjects related to religious and charitable institutions in Tamil Nadu. The Advisory Committee will be constituted having Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Talaivi Amma, as Chairman, the Honble Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments as the Vice Chairman, the Secretary to Government, Tamil Development, Religious Endowments and Information Department as Member,

10

27

4 5 6 7

66 112 250 154 629

16 Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department as Member-Secretary and not more than 9 persons as non-official members. APPOINTMENT OF NON-HEREDITARY TRUSTEES 24. For administering the religious institutions under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, Non-Hereditary trustees are appointed to each temple. The Board of trustees should consist of not less than three persons and not more than five persons. This Board should consist of members among whom one shall be from Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe and one shall be a woman. The period of the Trust Board is two years. 25. JURISDICTION OF POWERS (iii)

17 Joint Commissioner For the religious institutions published under Section 46(i) of the Act having an annual income of Rs.10,000/- and less than Rs.2,00,000/- three Non-Hereditary Trustees shall be appointed by the Regional Joint Commissioner and in the interest of the public, two Additional Trustees are nominated by the Government, if necessary. (iv) Assistant Commissioner For the non-listed religious institutions under Section 49(i) having an annual income of less than Rs.10,000/-, three Non-Hereditary trustees are appointed by the Assistant Commissioners concerned. Two Non-Hereditary trustees are nominated by the Government in the interest of the public, if necessary. APPOINTMENT OF A FITPERSON 26. After the completion of the period of the Trust Board to perform the functions of the Board of Trustees, a qualified person will be appointed as a Fit Person as interim arrangement till the appointment of the Board of Trustees, defined on the powers stated above.

(i)

Government
Non-Hereditary Trustees for the temples having an annual income of Rs. 10,00,000/- and above and published under Section 46(iii) of the Act, are appointed directly by the Government.

(ii)

Commissioner Three Non-Hereditary Trustees for the religious institutions having an annual income of Rs.2,00,000/- and less than Rs. 10,00,000/- and published under Section 46(ii) of the Act, are appointed by the Commissioner. In the interest of the public, two Additional Trustees are nominated by the Government, if necessary.

18 LAND ADMINISTRATION 27. There are 4,78,462.46 acres of Dry, Wet and Manavari lands, 22,599 buildings and 33,627 sites owned by the religious institutions under the control of this Department. The details are furnished below: Nature of the land Wet Dry Maanavari Total Temple Lands in in Acres 1,83,669.29 2,18,226.24 20,746.00 4,22,641.53 Mutt Lands in Acres Total Lands Acres 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 21,282.05 34,538.88 NIL 55,820.93 2,04,951.34 2,52,765.12 20,746.00 4,78,462.46 COURTS Thanjavur Tiruchirappalli Mayiladuthurai Thiruvarur Cuddalore Madurai

19 CAMP COURTS 1. Mannargudi 2. Kumbakonam 3. Salem 4. Thenkasi

30. 28,382 cases have been filed before the above Courts relating to arrears of rent of Rs.28.27 crore. Out of this, 13,307 cases have been settled. An amount of Rs.11.74 crore has been ordered to be paid to the temples by the Revenue Courts. 15,075 cases are still pending before these courts involving an amount of Rs.16.53 crore. 31. Necessary steps are taken for the speedy disposal of the pending cases relating to the lease of temple lands pending before the Revenue Courts. FAIR RENT FIXATION

28. The agriculture lands owned by the Temples and Mutts are enjoyed by 1,23,729 lessees. REVENUE COURTS 29. Revenue Courts are functioning at the following places, to settle the disputes, such as collection of arrears of rents, fixation of fair rent, evicting the defaulters, etc between the tenants who are cultivating the temple lands and on record as per the Tamil Nadu Cultivating Tenants Protection Act 1955, and the temple administration.

32. For fixing fair rent to buildings and sites belonging to temples, provisions have been made in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act. To fix fair rents as per the above provision, a Fair Rent Fixing Committee consisting of the Joint Commissioner, Executive Officer/Trustee/Chairman, Board of Trustee and District Registrar of Registration Department is constituted and fair rent is fixed by the Committee. Fair rent is fixed for sites and buildings, used as commercial and residential belonging to temples.

20 33. In order to set right the set back noticed in the intervening period in fixing and collecting fair rent, steps are being taken for fixing the fair rent of properties belonging to all religious institutions through the Fair Rent Fixation Committee at the earliest for enhancing their income. RETRIEVAL OF TEMPLE LANDS 34. During the process of implementation of settlement updating registry (U.D.R), the pattas of lands belonging to the Hindu Religious Institution lands got transferred in the name of private individuals incorrectly. To rectify this, two District Revenue Officers have been posted as Special Officers at Madurai and Coimbatore as their Headquarters for these two districts. 35. Steps have been taken through them, for rectifying the defects relating to the lands of the Hindu Religious Institutions in the records of the Revenue Department. REGULARISATION OF GROUP ENCROACHMENTS 36. Steps have been taken to regularize the persons who have encroached upon temple lands in groups and living there for a long time (more than 30 years) as tenants subject to certain conditions. Subject to the following conditions, provisions have been made in the Government Order for regularizing the group encroachers: 1)

21 The land should have been used as residential for a long time (more than 30 years), The fair rent fixed as per Government order should be agreed. The arrears of rent should be paid in twelve equal monthly instalments. Ten months rent should be paid as donation. Rent fixation should be effected from 01.07.1998.

2)

3)

4) 5)

ANNADHANAM SCHEME 37. Persons providing food are hailed as persons providing lives- Thus insists and instructs Purananooru, the great Tamil classical literature of the Sangam age that dates before 2,000 years. J

38. The above noble and novel scheme, was inaugurated by our Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma on 23.3.2002 at Mylapore Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar temple by serving food with the Honble Chief Minister Ammas own hands of glory. This scheme was implemented in 63 temples in the first phase. After that, step by step this scheme was extended to 360 temples in seven stages. Now under the Annadhanam Scheme, Annadhanam is provided in 362 temples. This Scheme is receiving high praises from scholars, dignitaries, devotees, the public and by religious people.

22 39. Our religious Savants and scholars have ever been stressing the significance of Annadhanam since ancient times that the fact that persons providing Annadhanam is the best of all gestures of donations. Knowing this, and providing life, people from the common man to the millionaire are contributing this scheme. 40. In the Commissioners Office, an account was opened in Commissioner designation exclusive for the Annadhanam scheme. A sum of Rs.3.27 crore was collected and deposited in the said account. From the surplus funds of the affluent temples, a sum of Rs.20.00 crore was deposited as a permanent investment exclusively for this scheme. Now the amount has accumulated as Rs. 35.10 crore. 41. The interest accrued from this source of fund will be distributed to the temples, which are needy for implementing the scheme. In all the 362 temples where Annadhanam Scheme has been implemented, hundials have been installed exclusively for this Scheme. 42. In all the temples implementing Annadhanam Scheme food is provided for the devotees after the Uchikala Pooja. Rice, Sambar, Rasam, Buttermilk, Kootu, Poriyal, Pickles, etc. are provided in Annadhanam. Depending on the number of devotees visiting temples, 50 to 300 devotees are provided with Annadhanam under this Scheme in each temple. 43. Due to the lack of proper monitoring found recently there was a great fall in the number of beneficiaries and in

23 the quality of food. After this Government took charge, Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has ordered to ensure the number of beneficiaries and to improve the quality of food. Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has also ordered to serve Annadhanam with Vadai and Payasam on Sundays at temples having surplus funds. Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has given new life to this Scheme by instructing to extend the Annadhanam Scheme further for 106 temples. Accordingly steps are being taken to carry out this Scheme in a more effective manner. SPIRITUAL AND MORAL CLASSES 44. Including the temples where Annadhanam Scheme is implemented, Spiritual and Moral Instruction classes were conducted in 485 temples by scholars on every Saturday and Sunday for the children to teach spiritual, ethical and moral discipline. In the recent past, there was an obvious setback owing to disinterest shown in conducting these classes. After this Government took charge necessary steps have been taken to rectify this setback and to conduct these classes properly. MARRIAGES FOR THE POOR 45. Through the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department marriages are conducted for the poor and downtrodden people of the society belonging to Hindu Religion with the help of affluent temples. This Scheme was started by Puratchi Thalaivar M G R in 1981.

24 For each marriage Rs. 5,500/- is being spent for this scheme. The people from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, Backward and Most Backward Classes are being benefited by this scheme. 46. Headed by and in the august presence of Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma marriages were conducted for 1008 couples on 14.7.2002, and for 1053 couples on 18.6.2003 at Thiruverkadu. Further marriages were conducted for 489 couples at certain other temples. During the last regime this Scheme was forsaken. Steps are being taken to implement this Scheme in the best manner. SPECIAL REJUVENATION CAMP FOR ELEPHANTS 47. Based on the fact that not only human beings, but also the other living beings do deserve mercy and kindness, our Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma having kindness and affection to all animals has given instructions that the temple elephants should not be engaged continuously in work but should be given sufficient rest. Further, instructions have been given by Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma for their proper maintenance and for the supervision of their physical health and to provide necessary medical advice and treatment. Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered in the year 2003 for conducting Special Rejuvenation Camps every year for all the elephants maintained by the temples, Mutts and by private individuals in Tamil Nadu, to maintain their health rendering rejuvenation and to maintain their

25 balanced physical and mental health. Accordingly at Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, which possesses a conducive atmosphere having water resources, special rejuvenation camps for elephants were conducted effectively and the physical and mental health of the elephants were brought to a healthy stage. The entire expenditure for the camps was borne by the Government. During the last 5 years this scheme was abandoned. Steps are being taken for implementing again this sublime Scheme. ROPE CARS 48. Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered for introducing the first Rope Car facility in South India in Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, Palani at an estimated cost of Rs.4 crore to facilitate differently abled persons, senior citizens, sick persons, for the families coming with small children and others to easily get transported to the hill temple and to receive the blessings of God. This Rope car was commissioned by Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma on 03.11.2004 and dedicated for the use of the devotees. The introduction of Rope Car facility was much welcomed and received appreciation from the devotees. Hence, Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered for introducing another Rope Car. Steps are being taken to implement an additional Rope Car in Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani and a Rope Car in Arulmigu Lakshimi Narashimhaswamy temple, Sholingar with modern technology.

26 THIRUPPANI 49. There are several holy abodes in Tamil Nadu adored by Alwars and Nayanmars through their hymns. Renovation is inevitable for better preservation and protection of small temples located by rural sides, located at the habitats where people belonging to Scheduled Caste and Backward classes reside and temples of ancient and historical importance. 50. Bearing this in mind, renovations are carried out for temples from the following financial sources: 1. Public donation 2. Own funds of the temples 3. Diversion of surplus funds from the affluent temples 4. Government grant 5. Common Good Fund 6. Temple Development Fund 7. Village Temple Renovation Fund 8. Temple Renovation and Charitable Fund 9. Renovation works carried out by donors 10. Central Governments Finance Commission Fund 11. Renovation for the temples situated in the habitations of Adi dravida and tribal people 12. Tourism Department Fund i. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

27

51.Most of the renovation works of the temples are being carriedout with the donations made wholeheartedly by persons interested in spiritual thoughts and Hindu religion, Industrialists, wealthy people, Private Institutions and the public. ii. OWN FUNDS OF THE TEMPLES 52. Most of the renovation works are carried out from the funds of the respective temples. iii. DIVERSION OF SURPLUS FUNDS 53. Under Section 36 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, funds are diverted from the surplus funds of affluent temples to needy temples for the purpose of renovation. iv. GOVERNMENT GRANT 54. Every year Rs.3 crore is allocated for the repair and renovation of temples as Government grant. v. COMMON GOOD FUND 55. Provision has been made for the creation of Common Good Fund in the designation of Commissioner under Section 97 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act from the contributions received from the Religious Institutions and voluntary donations received from the individuals. The financial assistance received for the Common Good Fund is utilized for the maintenance and renovation of temples.

28 vi. TEMPLE DEVELOPMENT FUND 56. A Corpus of Rs. 8 crore has been created from the surplus funds of affluent temples. From the interest accrued, funds are allotted for the renovations and repairs of ancient temples, temples sung by Nayanmars and Alwars and for the temples having ancient historical and archaeological importance. Vii. VILLAGE TEMPLES RENOVATION FUND 57. As a permanent measure for the Village Temple Renovation, a Corpus Fund of Rs.2 crore has been created from the surplus funds of Arulmighu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani. From the interest accrued to give financial assistance for the renovation of small temples under the control of this Department as a permanent measure the Village Temples Renovation Scheme has been created. Through this Scheme Rs.25,000/- is given as financial assistance per temple. viii. TEMPLE RENOVATION AND CHARITABLE FUND 58. With the noble object to preserve the ancient, traditional and cultural values of the temples, Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma on 05.08.1991,created a fund namely The Chief Ministers Temple Renovation and Maintenance Fund with a sum of Rs.1,00,008/- from the personal fund of Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. Further, donations were received for this fund from philanthropists and the general public. Later this fund has been renamed as Temple Renovation and Charitable Fund.

29 This fund is being utilised for the renovation of ancient temples. ix. RENOVATION BY DONORS 59. It is also in practice that temple renovations are being carried out voluntarily by devotees as donor work subject to the supervision of this Department. x. FINANCE COMMISSION FUND 60. The 12th Finance Commission provided financial aid of Rs. 9.87 crore for the ancient temples of heritage value for the renovation to be carried without changing their antiquity. This fund has been utilised for the renovation of 46 temples. A financial aid of Rs.22.50 crore is allocated for the renovation of 89 temples through the 13th Finance Commission of the Central Government for this financial year. Steps have been taken for the proper utilization of this fund to renovate ancient temples without changing their antiquity. xi. RENOVATION OF THE TEMPLES IN THE HABITATIONS OF ADI DRAVIDA AND TRIBAL PEOPLE 61. With the assistance of funds received from the surplus funds of the affluent temples, a financial assistance of Rs.25,000/- per temple is given for the renovation of small temples situated in the habitations of Adi Dravida and Tribal people.

30 xii. TOURISM DEPARTMENT FUND 62. Tourism Department is contributing a portion as financial assistance for providing necessary basic amenities like toilets, bathrooms, dormitories , drinking water facilities, information centers, approach roads, highmast lamps, cloak rooms and provision of lawns and parking facilities required for the devotees visiting temples. Steps are being taken for providing facilities for devotees as well as tourists by utilizing this fund along with the temple contributions. THIRUKUDAMUZHUKU 63. As per Aagamas Thirukudamuzhuku ought to be performed every 12 years in every temple after renovations. Generally temples are classified as below and renovation works are carried out and Thirukudamuzhuku is performed : 1) Temples sung and praised by Alwars and Nayanmars in their hymns. Temples which are historically and archaeologically important. Temples popular for fulfilling vows. (Prarthanas) Small temples situated in the villages and in the habitations of Adi Dravida, Tribals and Backward class people.

31 64. In Tamil Nadu, there are several temples famous as once praised in their hyms by Alwars and Nayanmars and temples ancient and historically important. After this Government took charge, Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has ordered to renovate these temples and perform Thirukudamuzhuku and also to perform renovation and Thirukudamuzhuku for 1006 temples this year and action is being taken expeditiously. RAIN WATER HARVESTING AND RENOVATION OF TEMPLE TANKS 65. The Rain Water Harvesting Scheme, announced in his Excellency the Governors Speech in the year 20022003 as one of the scheme of Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalavi Amma has been implemented properly with regard to temple tanks. There are 38,481 Temples and Religious Institutions under the control of the H.R.&.C.E. Department. Among these, there are 2359 holy tanks in 1586 temples. Out of these 1291 holy tanks are in good condition. The remaining 1,068 holy tanks require to be repaired and rain water harvesting to be implemented. There was setback in implementing this scheme during the last few years. After this Government took charge the following steps have been taken to revive this Scheme.

2)

3) 4)

32 1) Removing encroachments inside temple tanks and outside the

33 TEMPLES HAVING GOLDEN CARS 1. temple 2. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani. Arulmigu Kandaswamy temple, Poonga Nagar, Chennai. Arulmigu Vadapalaniandavar temple, Vadapalani. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruttani. Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman temple, Tiruverkadu. Arulmigu Swaminathaswamy temple, Swamimalai. Arulmigu Vaithyanathaswamy Vaitheeswarankoil. temple,

2)

Building Compound walls or fencing the tanks Desilting and deepening the tanks Relaying the steps of the temple tanks

3) 4) 5)

3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Providing drains for rain water to flow into the temple tanks

REVIVAL OF KALA POOJA 66. Keeping in mind, the irregularity in performing Kala Poojas found in a few financially needy but historically renowned ancient temples, Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered in the year 2005 for performing full fledged Kalapoojas. Accordingly 22 financially weak temples were provided with financial assistance by the financially affluent temples. This Scheme was abandoned by the previous Government. After this Government assumed office, steps have been taken for reviving this exemplary scheme. GOLDEN CARS AND SILVER CARS

8. 9.

Arulmigu Vinayagar temple, Echanari, Coimbatore. Arulmigu Mariamman temple, Samyapuram, Trichy.

10. Arulmigu Meenakshisundareswarar temple, Madurai. 11. Arulmigu Sankaranarayanaswamy Sankarankoil. temple,

12. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruchendur. 13. Arulmigu Vanamamalai Perumal temple, Nanguneri. 67. It is a customary practice that the devotees visiting temples to fulfill their owes to pull the golden or silver car mounted with the deity. At present there are 51 temples having Golden Cars and 38 temples having Silver Cars in use. 14. Arulmigu Kamatchiamman temple, Kancheepuram. 15. Arulmigu Balamurugan temple, Rathinagiri. 16. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Sivanmalai. 17. Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore.

34 18. Arulmigu Kamakshiamman temple, Mangadu. 19. Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameswaram. 20. Arulmigu Madurakaliamman temple, Siruvachur. 21. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Maruthamalai. 22. Arulmigu Bannarimariamman temple, Bannari. 23. Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai. 24. Arulmigu Maruntheeswarar temple, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai. 25. Arulmigu Velayuthaswamy temple, Thindalmalai, Erode. 26. Arulmigu Ananda Padmanathaswamy temple, Adayar, Chennai. 27. Arulmigu Karunellinathaswamy temple, Tiruthangal, Sivakasi. 28. Arulmigu Mundagakaniamman temple, Mylapore, Chennai. 29. Arulmigu Venkatachalapathiswamy Uppiliappankoil, Kumbakonam. 30. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Tiruparankundram. 31. Arulmigu Mariamman temple, Karur. temple,

35 32. Arulmigu Thandumariamman temple, Coimbatore. 33. Arulmigu Chandrasudeswarar temple, Hosur. 34. Arulmigu Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswariamman temple, Tiruvanaikaval. 35. Arulmigu Aanjaneyaswamy temple, Namakal. 36. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Pachaimalai, Gopichettipayalayam. 37. Arulmigu Vettudaiyar Kaliamman temple, Ariyakurchi. 38. Arulmigu Nelliappar Gandhimathiamman temple, Tirunelveli. 39. Arulmigu Kannudaiya Nayagiamman temple, Nattarasankottai, Sivagangai. 40. Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar temple, Tiruchengode, Namakkal. 41. Arulmigu Vekkaliamman temple, Uraiyur, Trichy. 42. Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar temple, Salem. 43. Arulmigu Kottaimariamman temple, Salem. 44. Arulmigu Murugan temple, Solaimalai Mandapam (Alagarkoil), Madurai. 45. Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple, Sholingar, Vellore. 46. Arulmigu Thyagarajaswamy temple, Tiruvotriyur, Tiruvallur.

temple,

36 47. Arulmigu Kottaimariamman temple, Dindigul. 48. Arulmigu Angalaparameswari temple, Melmalaiyanur, Villpuram. 49. Arulmigu Kondathukaliamman temple, Pariyur, Erode. 50. Arulmigu Kandaswamy temple, Chenglepet, Kancheepuram . Tiruporur,

37 12. Arulmigu Mayuranathaswamy temple, Mayiladuthurai. 13. Arulmigu Mariamman , Angalamman temple, Pollachi. 14. Arulmigu Prasanna Vinayagar temple, Udumalaipettai. 15. Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman temple, Tiruverkadu. 16. Arulmigu Kolanjiappar temple, Manavalanallur. 17. Arulmigu Ekambaranathar temple, Kancheepuram. 18. Arulmigu Kamatchiamman temple, Kancheepuram. 19. Arulmigu Muthukumaraswamy temple, Park Town, Chennai. 20. Arulmigu Tiruvenkadamudayan temple, Ariyakurichi. 21. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Kundrakudi. 22. Arulmigu Meenakshisundareswarar Keelasevelpatti. temple,

51. Arulmigu Masaniamman temple, Aanaimalai, Coimbatore. TEMPLES HAVING SILVER CARS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruchendur. Arulmigu Meenakshisundareswar temple, Madurai. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruttani. Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameswaram. Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai. Arulmigu Swaminathaswamy temple, Swamimalai. Arulmigu Nellaiyappar Gandhimathiamman temple, Tirunelveli. Arulmigu Padaleeswarar temple, Tirupathiripuliyur. temple,

23. Arulmigu Kannudaiya Nayagiamman temple, Natarasankottai. 24. Arulmigu Koppudaya Nayagiamman temple, Karaikudi. 25. Arulmigu Nagarasivan (A) Meenakshisundareswarar temple, Devakottai. 26. Arulmigu Muthumariamman temple, Konnaiyur, Tirumayam taluk. 27. Arulmigu Aruthra Kapaleeswarar temple, Erode Town. 28. Arulmigu Sangameswarar temple, Bhavani.

9.

10. Arulmigu Vaithyanathaswamy Vaitheeswarankoil.

11. Arulmigu Chattanathaswamy temple, Sirkali.

38 29. Arulmigu Palaniandavar temple, Bhavani. 30. Arulmigu Balasubramaniaswamy temple, Aayakudi, Tirunelveli. 31. Arulmigu Madurakaliamman temple, Thottiyam. 32. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Neyveli, Panrutti. 33. Arulmigu Veyuluku Uganda Vinayagar temple, Uppur, Ramanathapuram. 34. Arulmigu Soundararajaperumal temple, Dindigul. 35. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Kumarakottam, Kancheepuram. 36. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Ettukudi, Nagapattinam. 37. Arulmigu Ekambareswarar and Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Chettikulam, Perambalur. 38. Arulmigu Muthumariamman temple, Karaikudi, Nagar and Taluk, Sivagangai.

39 MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF TEMPLE WOODEN CARS 68. There are 989 Wooden Cars in 809 temples under the control of this Department. To repair 241 Cars at the estimate of Rs.11.17 crore a corpus was created from the surplus funds of financially affluent temples in February 2006. As a result of this, 91 Temple Cars have been repaired and renovated. At present 686 Temple Cars are in good condition. Repair works of 25 Cars in the remaining 303 Cars are being carried out. Remaining 278 Cars are to be repaired. Steps are being taken for repairing them. In order to safeguard the Temple Cars, steps have been taken to provide roofs which are fire proof, wheels and axles made of steel and to insure them. Due to this, steps have been taken to conduct Car Festivals which were stopped and to safeguard the Cars. VILLAGE TEMPLE POOSARIGAL WELFARE BOARD 69. For the Village Poosarigal, performing Poojas in the village temples which are not under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, a separate Board namely The Village Temple Poosarigal Welfare Board has been constituted. This Welfare Board has the Honble Minister as Chairman along with 10 official members and 9 non-official members. 70. Through this Welfare Board, the Village Temple Poosaris are provided with the following assistances.

40 The upper income limit for availing assistance under this scheme is Rs.24,000/- per annum. S. No. 1. 2. Assistance provided under the welfare scheme For the purchase of spectacles For the Maternity/abortion expenses of Poosaris wife or daughter For the Higher Education of the children of a poosari. Amount

41 Welfare Fund and a contribution of Rs.22,500/- from the Department will make a total amount of Rs.25,000/- to be deposited as fixed deposit under this Scheme. Thus, interest accruing from the deposit will be utilized for the Oru Kala Pooja of the specified temples. So far, 11,931 temples have been benefited under the Scheme. 72. The interest accruing from the fixed deposit of Rs.25,000/- is not sufficient to perform a single Kala Pooja every day. Hence there was a setback in the last few years and the purpose of this Scheme was not fulfilled. After knowing the fact that the interest received from the fixed deposit of Rs.25,000/- for every temple is insufficient to perform properly the Oru Kala Pooja, Honble Chief Minister Puratchithalaivi Amma after assuming Office has ordered for raising this fixed deposit to Rs.1,00,000/- for every temple enabling the Scheme to be carried out effectively. Action has been taken for performing Oru Kala Poojas every day from the interest received from this deposit. BASIC AMENITIES FOR DEVOTEES I. DRINKING WATER FACILITY 73. Steps have been taken for providing clean and hygienic drinking water for the devotees visiting temples and for providing clean and purified drinking water at necessary locations.

Rs.500/Rs.6000/-

3.

From Rs.1000/- to Rs.6000/Rs.6000/-

4.

For the marriage of the Poosari or their son/ daughters marriage For performing the last rites of a deceased member, for their legal heir

5.

Rs.2000/Rs.15,000/-

ORU KALA POOJA SCHEME 71. This Scheme has been in force since 1986 for the performance of Oru Kala Pooja in temples which do not have the financial means to perform even a single Kala Pooja. In order to make the public participate in this scheme Honble Chief Minister Puratchithalaivi Amma facilitated by an order in the year 1993 that when the contribution of Rs.2500/ - received from the public, Rs.20,000/- from the surplus funds of affluent temples, Rs.1300/- from the Temple Renovation and Charitable Endowment Fund, Rs.1200/- from Temple

42 II. TOILET FACILITIES 74. Steps are being taken to provide separate modern toilet facilities for gents and ladies visiting temples. III. STAYING FACILITIES 75. Steps are being taken in the interest of the large number of devotees visiting temples for providing adequate accommodation facilities such as cottages, rooms, dormitories, cloak rooms, and parking lot. IV. MAINTAINING CLEANLINESS IN TEMPLES 76. For maintaining cleanliness in temples, the housekeeping is entrusted to private agencies on contract basis. DISTRIBUTION OF SAREES/DHOTIES 77. In important temples, cotton sarees and dhoties received as offerings are distributed to the elderly persons, destitutes and widows on Independence day and Anna Memorial Day during the events of common feast held in those temples. SAFETY OF ICONS AND VALUABLES 78. To safeguard the icons and valuable articles of the temples, safety measures are adopted such as installation of burglar alarms, tell-tale clocks, inner locking system, fixing iron gates, Closed Circuit Televisions, appointment of Night Watchmen and appointment of personnel from the Temple Protection Force. 4. 5.

43 79. In order to protect the valuable icons of the temples having inadequate protection facility. Icon Centres have been built in the following temples. Details of Icon Centres 1. Icon Centre, Thiruvarur (Arulmighu Thiyagarajaswamy Temple campus) Arulmighu Agilandeshwari and Jambugeshwarar Temple, Thiruvanaikkaval, Trichy. Arulmighu Nellayyappar Gandhimadhiamman Temple, Thirunelveli. Arulmighu Sugavaneswarar Temple, Salem. Arulmighu Muthumariamman Temple, Gandhinagar, Vellore. Arulmighu Arunachaleswarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai. Arulmighu Egambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram. Arulmighu Padaleeswarar Temple, Thiruppadhiripuliyur, Cuddalore. Arulmighu Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam.

2.

3.

6. 7. 8.

9.

10. Arulmighu Patteeswaraswamy Temple, Perur, Coimbatore. 11. Arulmighu Pragathambal Temple, Thirukokarnam, Pudhukkottai. 12. Arulmighu Thiruvappudaiyar Temple, Chellur, Madurai.

44 13. Arulmighu Sundarraja Perumal Temple, Sivagangai. 14. Arulmighu Thiyagarajaswamy Temple, Thiruvarur (Additional centre) 15. Arulmighu Thiyagarajaswamy Temple, Thiruvotriyur. 16. Arulmighu Subramaniaswamy Temple, Thiruthani. 17. Arulmighu Kaliamman Temple, Adhiyamankottai, Dharmapuri. 18. Arulmighu Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Villupuram. 19. Arulmighu Nachiyar (Andal) Temple, Srivilliputhur, Virudhunagar. TEMPLE PROTECTION FORCE 80. A separate Wing namely Temple Protection Force has been formed for protecting the icons, jewels, hundials and valuables in the temples. Sanction was accorded for appointing 1000 Grade II Police Constables and 3000 Exservicemen in this Force. In the year 2005-2006, 1000 Grade II Constables and 2751 Ex-servicemen were serving in Temple Protection Force. Since adequate interest in the safety of temples was not shown in the past years, this number has come down to 717 Police Constables and 1806 Ex-Servicemen. Steps are being taken to compensate the reduction of personnel in this wing. KARUNAI ILLANGAL

45

81. Karunai Illangal were started in the temples under the control of this Department with a view to providing assistance such as food, shelter and education apart from showing love and care for the destitute children. In 20052006, there were 42 homes functioning in 37 temples under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. This number has come down to 34 homes in 31 temples in the past few years. Steps have been taken for correcting the disinterested attitude shown in running these homes to revive and improve them. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER

82.With the social object of inculcating culture, religious tenets and the control required for adopting divine disciplines, the temple administrations along with their other religious obligations and activities in temples are running Padasalas, Colleges and Schools related to religion and general education. Such institutions are: a. Educational Institutions 1. Arts, Culture and Science Colleges 2. Polytechnic College 3. Higher Secondary Schools 4. High Schools 5 1 15 8

46 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Middle Schools Elementary Schools Matriculation School CBSE School Nadaswaram and Thavil Musical Training Schools Vedha Aagama Padasalas Thevara Padasalas School for the Deaf and Dumb Total b. Social welfare Institutions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Siddha Hospitals Allopathy Hospitals Home for mentally disordered Karunai Illangal Old Age Homes Total 7 2 1 34 2 46 3. 1. 2 9 1 1 2. 1.

47 ARTS AND SCIENCE COLLEGES Arulmigu Palaniandavar Arts and Culture College, Palani, Dindigul District Arulmigu Palaniandavar Arts Palani, Dindigul District College for Women,

2 3 2 1 50

3.

Sri Parasakthi College for Women, Kutralam, Thirunelveli District. Sri Devi Kumari College for Women, Kuzhithurai, Kanyakumari District. Poompuhar College, Melaiyur, Nagapattinam District. POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

10. 11. 12.

4.

5.

1.

Arulmigu Palaniandavar Polytechnic College, Palani, Dindigul District. HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOLS Arulmigu Periyanayagiamman Girls Higher Secondary School, Kovilur, Muthupettai, Tiruvarur District. Arulmigu Subramaniaswami Thirukkoil Higher Secondary School, Maruthamalai, Vadavalli, Coimbatore District. Arulmigu Vazhaithottathaiyan Higher Secondary School, Ayyampalayam, Samalapuram, Somanur, Tiruppur District. Arulmigu Perur Santhalinga Adigalar Higher Secondary School, Perur, Coimbatore District.

2.

The list of Educational and Social Welfare institutions are as follows:

4.

48 5. Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Girls Higher Secondary School, Madurai District. Arulmigu Andavar Subramaniyaswamy Girls Higher Secondary School, Thirupparankundram, Madurai District Arulmigu Thirumalai Kumaraswami Devasthana Girls Higher Secondary School, Kutralam, Tirunelveli District Devasthana Higher Secondary School, Mandaikadu, Kanyakumari District. Sri Gandhimathi Ambal Girls Higher Secondary School, Thirunelveli District.

49 HIGH SCHOOLS 1. Arulmigu Anjuvattathamman Girls High School, Kilvelur, Thiruvarur District. Arulmigu Kaliyuga Varatharaja Perumal Girls High School, Kallankurichi, Ariyalur District. Arulmigu Swetharanyeswarar Thirukkoil Girls High School, Thiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam District. Arulmigu Sundarraja High School, Azhagarkoil, Madurai. District. Devaswom High School, Thirparappu, Kanyakumari District. Sri Thirugnana Sambandar High Dharmapuram, Nagapattinam District. School,

6.

2.

7.

3.

8.

4.

9.

5.

10. T. Venugopal Chetty Higher Secondary School, Chennai District. 11. Hindu Higher Secondary School, Chennai District. 12. Arulmigu Parvathavarthini Ambal Girls Higher Secondary School, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District. 13. Arulmigu Swetharanyeswarar Thirukkoil Higher Secondary School, Thiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam District. 14. Sri Sivapprakasa Swamigal Higher Secondary School, Mayilam, Dindivanam, Villupuram District. 15. Arulmigu Parasakthi Vidhyalaya Higher Secondary School, Kutralam, Tirunelveli District.

6.

7.

Arulmigu Muthukumaraswamy Devasthana High School, Chennai District. Devaswom High School, Kulithurai, Kanyakumari District. MIDDlE SCHOOLS

8.

1.

Thiruvavaduthurai Atheenam Middle School, Thiruvaduthurai, Nagapattinam District. Thiruvavaduthurai Atheenam Ambalavana Thesigar Middle School, Thiruvaduthurai, Nagapattinam District.

2.

50 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 1. Swami Nellaiyappar Anbu Asramam Elementary School, Palayamkottai, Thirunelveli District. Sankaranarayanaswami Thirukkoil Elementary School, Sankarankoil, Thirunelveli District. Sri Meikandar Elementary School, Thiruvenkadu, Nagapattinam District. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswami Aided Elementary School, Palani, Dindigul District. Thiruvavaduthurai Atheenam Elementary School, Thiruvidaimaruthur, Thanjavur District. Thirugnanasambandar Elementary Dharmapuram, Nagapattinam District. School, 1. 1.

51 CBSE SCHOOL ParaSakthi Vidhiyalaya, Kutralam, Thirunelveli District.

2.

NATHASWARAM AND THAVIL - MUSIC TRAINING SCHOOL 1. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswami Thirukkovil, Palani, Dindigul District Arulmigu Naganathaswami Thirunageswaram. Thanjavur District. VEDHA AAGAMA PADASALAS Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswami Thirukkovil, Palani, Dindigul District. Arulmigu Subramanyaswami Thirukkovil, Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi District. Arulmigu Vaithiyanathaswami Thirukkoil, Vaitheeswarankoil , Nagapattinam District. THEVARA TRAINING SCHOOLS 1. Dharmapura Atheenam, Dharmapuram, Mayiladudurai, Nagapattinam District. Maruthanayaga Mudaliar Annapoorani Ammal Trust, Coimbatore District. Thirukkovil,

3.

2.

4.

5.

6.

2.

7.

Arulmigu Sundarraja Elementary School, Azhagarkoil, Madurai District. Anjugam Elementary School, Kodambakkam, Chennai District. Padamavathi Kannapiran Elementary School, Otteri, Chennai District. MATRICULATION SCHOOL

3.

8.

9.

2.

1.

Palaniandavar Matriculation School, Palani, Dindigul District

52 SCHOOL FOR HEARING IMPAIRED 1. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Thirukkoil, Palani, Dindigul District. SIDDHA HOSPITALS 1. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Thirukkoil, Palani, Dindigul District. Arulmigu Vadapalani Andavar Thirukkoil, VadaPalani, Chennai District. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Marudhamalai, Coimbatore District. Thirukkoil,
1. Thiruverkadu, Tiruvallur District Thiruthani, Tiruvallur District Palani, Dindigul District Samayapuram, Tiruchirapalli District Madurai District

53 HOME FOR MENTALLY DISORDERED 1. Arulmigu Prasanna Venkatasa Perumal Thirukkoil, Gunaseelam, Tiruchirapalli District. KARUNAI ILLANGAL Sl. No Place Name of the Temple No.of Karunai Illams Boys Girls
1

2.

3.

Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Subramania Swami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Mariamman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukkoil Arulmigu Subramaniaswami Thirukkoil

4.

Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Thirukkoil, Thiruttani, Tiruvallur District. Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Thiruparankundram, Madurai District. Thirukkoil,

2.

5.

3.

6.

Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Thirukkoil, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Thirukkoil, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District. ALLOPATHY HOSPITALS
4.

7.

5.

1.

Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Thirukkoil, Palani,Dindigul District. Arulmigu Karpagavinayagar Thirukkoil, Pillaiyarpatti, Sivagangai District.
6. Thiruchendur, Thoothukudi District

2.

54 Sl. No. Place Name of the Temple No.of Karunai Illams Boys Girls
1

55 Sl. No. Place Name of the Temple No.of Karunai Illams Boys Girls
1

7.

Rameswaram, Arulmigu Ramanathapuram Ramanathaswami District Thirukkoil Mylapore, Chennai District Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Thirukkoil Arulmigu Subramaniaswami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Bannari Mariamman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Kallazhagar Thirukkoil Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Thirukkoil

14. Swamimalai, Thanjavur District 15. Salem District

Arulmigu Swaminathaswami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar Thirukkoil Arulmigu Vanabadra Kaliamman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Vazhaithottathu Ayyan Thirukkoil Arulmigu Subramaniaswami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Venkatachalapathi Thirukkoil

8.

9.

Maruthamalai, Coimbatore District

16. Thekkampatty, Coimbatore District 17. Ayyampalayam, Coimbatore District 18. Thirupparankundram, Madurai District 19. Uppliyappankoil, Thanjavur District

10. Bannari, Erode District

11. Azhagarkoil, Madurai District 12. Sholingar, Vellore District

13. Thiruvannamalai District

20. Manavalanallur, Arulmigu Cuddalore District Kolanjiappar Thirukkoil

56 Sl. No. Place Name of the Temple No.of Karunai Illams Boys Girls
1

57 Sl. No. Place Name of the Temple No.of Karunai Illams Boys Girls
1

21. Thirunageswaram Arulmigu Thanjavur District Naganathaswami Thirukkoil 22. Kodumudi, Erode District Arulmigu Magudeswara Swamy Veeranarayana Perumal Thirukkoil Arulmigu Vinayagar Thirukkoil

27. Sivanmalai, Erode District Thirukkoil 28. Madappuram, Sivagangai District

Arulmigu Subramaniswami

Arulmigu Adaikalamkaatha Ayyanar & Badrakaliamman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Nellaiyappar Gandhimathi Amman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Muthukumara Swami Devasthanam Arulmigu Muthumariamman Thirukkoil Total

23. Echanari, Coimbatore District 24. Perur, Coimbatore District 25. Anaimalai, Coimbatore District 26. Karaikudi, Sivagangai District

29. Thirunelveli District

Arulmigu Patteeswaraswami Thirukkoil Arulmigu Masaniamman Thirukkoil Arulmigu Koppudainayagi Amman Thirukkoil

1 30. Chennai District

31. Thayamangalam, Sivagangai District

24

10

58 OLD AGE HOMES 1. Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Thirukkoil, Palani, Dindigul District Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Thiruparankundram, Madurai District Thirukkoil,

59 corpus fund and the interest obtained is utilized. In Arulmighu Kapaleeswarar Temple, Mylapore, every year during the month of August, Panniru Thirumurai Vizha and Sekkizhar Vizha are celebrated for 12 days. ii. Thirugnanasambandar Isai Vizha 86. To honour Saint Thirugnanasambandar, one of the religious savants, Thirugnanasambandar isai vizha is celebrated every year at Arulmigu Vedagirieeswarar temple, Thirukazhukundram, on behalf of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The expenses for this festival is met from the Commissioners Common Good Fund. iii. Avvai Vizha 87. A temple for the Tamil poetess and savant Avvayar is situated at Thulasiyappattinam village, Vedaranyam, Nagappatinam District, in the temple premises of Arulmigu Visvanathaswamy Thirukoil. Avvayar Vizha is celebrated every year in the month of Panguni on Sadhayam star day. iv. Thaiyumanavar Vizha

2.

BASIC AMENITIES FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES 83. For providing basic amenities for schools and colleges functioning under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department from the financially affluent temples, surplus funds amounting to Rs.5 crore has been transferred and a corpus fund has been created. From the interest accrued from the corpus fund, financial grant is given annually for providing facilities such as buildings, laboratories, libraries, computers, drinking water and toilet facilities in the schools and colleges run by temples. WORSHIP IN TAMIL 84. To regulate and encourage worship in Tamil in temples, Potri (Archanai) books have been published. FESTIVALS HONOURING TAMIL SAVANTS i. Sekkizhar Vizha 85. Sekkizhar Festival is celebrated as a Government function every year at his birth place, Kunrathur near Chennai, by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. For celebrating the above festival annually, on the birthday of Saint Sekkizhar, a sum of Rs.5 lakh obtained from the surplus funds of the temple has been kept as

88.Thayumanava Adigal, who gave prime place to philosophy in all his verses of Bhakthi disciplines, was attracted by Mouna Gurusamy of Thirumoolar lineage on his way back after worshipping Dakshinamoorthy at Arulmigu Thayumanaswamy Temple, Malaikkottai. Every year a festival of Thayumanava Adigal, who rendered Tamil language verses with rich knowledge of spirituality is celebrated at Arulmigu Thayumanaswamy temple at Malaikkottai, Tiruchirappalli.

60 v. Thiruvalluvar Vizha 89. Thiruvalluvar Vizha is celebrated in Arulmigu Thiruvalluvar Temple, Mylapore, Chennai on Thiruvalluvar Day every year on the 2nd day of Tamil month Thai believed to be the birthday of the Divine Poet Thiruvalluvar, who is revered world wide. vi. Arunagirinadhar Vizha 90. Arulalar Arunagirinadhar Mukthiperu Vizha is celebrated in Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Thiruvannamalai to honour saint Arunagirinadhar, on Kettai star in the month of Avani every year. vii. Kochenkatchozha Nayanar Vizha 91. Kochenkatchozha Nayanar Vizha is celebrated at Arulmigu Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari Temple, Thiruvaanikaval, Tiruchirappalli district every year on Sathayam star in the month of Masi, the birthday of Kochenkatchozha, one among the 63 Nayanmars. viii. Festival of Alwars 92. Every year, Alwars festival for all the 12 Alwars on Thiruvonam star in the month of Aippasi , the birth star of Poigai Alwar in Arulmigu Renganathaswamy temple, Srirangam, Trichy District. ix. Festivals for Alwars & Nayanmars 93. Festivals are celebrated every year on the birthday or the day of attaing salvation in honour of all the

61 Nayanmars and Alwars who composed Thirumurai such as Devaram, Thiruvasagam and Prabandam in the Divine Tamil language in their respective abodes. THALAVARALARU AND THALAPURANAM 94. Thalavaralaru and Thalapuranam are published by every temple enabling the public to know the heritage, history, importance, Puranas, architecture, inscriptions and importance of worship of the temple concerned. For temples which do not have any historical or puranic importance, pamphlets are printed and published enlightening the importance of worship in them. After this Government took charge, steps are taken to remove the slackness in this, by republishing and renewing Thalavaralaru and Thalapuranam. PILGRIMS GUIDE 95. Enabling the tourists and pilgrims to know about the temples in important regions and towns, pilgrims guides have been published containing essential details of various temples located in and around the towns of Kancheepuram, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Trichy, Pudukkottai, Karur, Perambalur, Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Tuticorin, Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram. This activity was abandoned in the intervening period. After this Government took charge, steps have been taken for republishing the existing and publishing new tourist guides, since this serves as a useful guide for the devotees and tourists.

62 PUBLISHING AAGAMAS AND OTHER BOOKS IN TAMIL 96. In order to facilitate everyone to understand the Aagama Sastra books, which are in Sanskrit, they are translated in Tamil and published. In the first phase, the books Uthara Kamiga Aagamam, Alaya Nirmana Bimbalakshana Silpa nool and Kumara Thantram have been translated in Tamil and published. Further, the Tamil books like Indhu Matha Inaippu Vilakkam and Saivamum Vainavamum have been reprinted and published. Steps have been taken for reprinting the above books and also to publish new books as per need. CHARTERED ENGINEERS 97. In order to avoid delay in the preparation of estimates for renovation works of temples, retired engineers of the Public Works Department and the Highways Department have been approved as panel engineers. The approved panel engineers prepare drawings, estimates and do similar works necessary for the renovation of temples. STHAPATHIS 98. To ensure that the temple renovations are carried out in accordance with the standards prescribed in Aagama and Silpa Sasthra, persons practising this art, learnt traditionally from their ancestors and those possessing a degree or a diploma in sculptural arts have been approved as Sthapathis.

63 SPECIAL WORSHIP AND COMMON FEAST 99. Every year a common feast and special worship is organized in affluent temples on Independence Day and Perairgnar Anna Memorial Day, enabling the participation of the people from various levels of the society. REFRESHER TRAINING COURSE 100. For the Archagas, Bhattachariars and Odhuvars to do their work efficiently, the Refresher Course Scheme was started in the year 1991 and functioned effectively. Under this Scheme, prominent temples have been selected in each Assistant Commissioner division from the year 2002 and so far 488 persons are benefited by this Scheme. This Scheme was totally abandoned in the past years. Considering the importance of this Scheme, steps have been taken for reviving the Refresher Course Scheme for the benefit of Archagas, Battacharyas and Odhuvars by this Government. APPOINTMENT OF NATHASWARA ARTISTS 101. For playing Nathaswaram during the time of festivals and poojas at financially poor temples which are ancient and praised by Alwars and Nayanmars in their hymns, a corpus of Rs. 1 crore has been deposited for enabling payment for Musicians recruited for playing Nathaswaram, Thavil and Thaala instruments at a monthly salary of Rs.1500/-, Rs.1000/- and Rs.750/- respectively. The implemention of this Scheme was stopped in the intervening period. Steps have been taken for implementing this Scheme in a perfect manner.

64 WELFARE SCHEMES FOR TEMPLE EMPLOYEES 102. Different categories of employees are working in temples under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The welfare schemes available for temple employees are listed below. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Employees Provident Fund Scheme. Departmental Pension Scheme. Family Benefit Fund Scheme. Special Provident Fund and Gratuity Scheme. Temple Employees Welfare Fund Scheme. Pension Scheme for Archakar, Odhuvar, Vedhaparayanar, Arayars, DivyaPrabhandam reciters and Musicians. Advance for Marriage, Festival and for purchase of Vehicles. Appointment on Compassionate Grounds. Kudamuzhukku Incentive.

65 i. Family Benefit Fund Scheme 103. This Scheme was introduced to help the heirs of the temple employees dying in harness. A corpus fund of Rs.15 crore has been created for the implementation of this Scheme. In this scheme, Rupees one lakh is granted for the heirs of the deceased. ii. Special Provident Fund Scheme 104. This Scheme was introduced for the welfare of the employees of the temples having an annual income of Rs.1 lakh and above. A corpus fund of Rs.50 lakh has been created for this Scheme out of the surplus funds of the affluent temples. An amount of Rs. 5000/- is disbursed as gratuity under this Scheme along with the total subscription paid by the retiring employee during his service. iii. Temple Employees Welfare Scheme 105. A scheme has been created for the temple employees having an annual income of less than Rs.1,00,000/- and drawing a monthly salary of less than Rs.750/- for paying their salary arrears through a corpus fund of Rs. 5 crore mobilized from the surplus funds of temples. From the interest accrued from this fund the arrears of salary to employees are paid every year. iv. Appointments on Compassionate Grounds 106. The scheme of providing jobs on compassionate grounds to the legal heirs of temple employees died in service is under implementation in temples.

7. 8. 9.

10. Additional Incentive for Annual Festivals. 11. Pongal Ex-gratia Payment. 12. Financial Assistance for the Higher Education of the Children of the Temple Employees 13. Providing Uniforms and Identity Cards for the Temple Employees. 14. Computer Training for Temple Employees. 15. Providing Free Bicycles for the Archakas / Poosaris of the Temples where Oru Kala Pooja is Performed.

66 v. Pension Schemes A. Pension for Archakars, Othuvars, Vedhaparayanars, Arayars, Divyaprabandam reciters, Musicians 107. Archakars, Othuvars, Vedhaparayanars, Arayars, Divyaprabandam reciters, who have served for 20 years in temples and attained 60 years of age are paid a monthly pension of Rs.750/- from the Government funds through this Department. 108. After this Government took charge, Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has ordered to raise the monthly pension from Rs. 750/- to Rs. 1000/-. 109. The list of beneficiaries of this Scheme is as follows: S.No. Pension beneficiary Number of Total persons number of approved by beneficiaries Government 125 59 39 11 B.

67 Village Poosarigal Pension Scheme

110. The Government have sanctioned a monthly pension of Rs.750/- for 4000 village Temple Poosaris who have served more than 20 years in village temples which are not directly under the control of this Department and attained 60 years of age. Under this Scheme, 2353 village Poosaris are being benefited. C. Pension Scheme for other Employees Serving in Temples 111. There are two types of Pension Schemes implemented since March 2006, for the temple employees. i) Employees Provident Fund Scheme 112. This Scheme is applicable to all employees working in temples. As per this Scheme, employees who have more than 10 years of service, subscribe to the Employees Provident Fund Scheme, and receive the benefits like pension and family pension under this Scheme. ii) Departmental Pension 113. For the employees who have less than 10 years of service on the date of implementation of the Scheme (1.3.2006) and all employees working in the temples which are not affluent to subscribe for the Employees Provident Fund Scheme, a Departmental Pension Scheme has been implemented in 2006. For disbursing pension under this Departmental Pension Scheme, a corpus fund of Rs.50 crore has been created from the surplus funds of affluent

1. 2.

Othuvars Vedham/Prabandham/ Araiyars Musicians Archakars (Saivam and Vainavam) Total

3. 4.

125 691

68 365

1000

483

68 temples and from the interest accrued on this corpus fund, pension of Rs.800/- is disbursed monthly to the retired temple employees who are unable to get pension through the EPF Scheme. vi) Financial Assistance to Children of a Temple Employees 114. Financial assistance of 25% in the first year tuition fees is given to the son or daughter of the temple employees studying Professional Courses in a Government or a Government aided educational institution. KOSAALAS 115. Integrated Kosaalas were formed in four places viz., Palani, Thiruchendur, Trichy and Rameswaram. 116. Surplus cattle received by the temples as donation are given freely to the Women Self-Help Groups and to Archakas and Poosaris working in the temples. THIRUKKOIL MONTHLY MAGAZINE 117. A monthly magazine namely Thirukkoil is being published since 1958 by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Since 2004, this magazine is being published attractively with useful articles by eminent writers. This magazine is published attractively with a fresh glow eliminating the setback noticed during the recent past. CONCLUSION

69

118. Temples which houses our culture, civilization, antiquity and historical significance, are sources of solace and mental tranquility for women. These temples impart divinity and charity besides discipline to the piety. 119. The kings who ruled Tamil Nadu in those days were helpful for regular worship in the temples, conducting temple festivals, lighting the lamps and feeding the public. Today our most merciful and humane Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has introduced Annadhanam Scheme for offering midday meals to the devotees besides fulfilling their sense of devotion, introduced Battery Cars to enable the elders and physically challenged to offer prayers to God and from her own personal funds donated one Battery operated Car to Arulmigu Aranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, enhanced the fixed deposit amount for conducting at least one time pooja per day which will lead to the situation wherein there will be no temple without lamps, ordered for the lovable humane treatment to the wild animals especially elephants. She endeavours to ensure that elephants are accorded complete rest and rejuvenation,

70 enhanced financial assistance to the poor and downtrodden for the marriages, enhanced financial assistance to renovate small temples in places inhabited by Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe people and enhanced the pension amount of Archakas, Othuvars, Vedaparayanars, Arayars, Divyaprabandam reciters and Musicians who have served for 20 years and completed 60 years of age from Rs.750 to Rs.1000/-. 120. Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma, evincing keen interest in the betterment of this Department, has rejuvenated various schemes for the welfare of the devotees and employees of this Department. 121. HM ; - F As expressed in the above Holy verses of Thiruppavai, the Officers and employees of this Department will endeavour to fulfill the aspirations of the most merciful and humane Honble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma. 4 S.P. SHUNMUGANATHAN, Minister For Hindu Religious And Charitable Endowments. 3 S. No. 1

71 ANNEXURE Part II Scheme 2011-12 Name of the Scheme Total Cost (Rs. in lakh) 15.60 Cost for 2011-12 (Rs. in lakh) 15.60

Purchase of computers with printers for Joint Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner Offices Replacement of the old jeep for the Chief Audit Officer, H.R.&C.E. Department, Chennai-34, by purchasing a new jeep Purchase of three photocopy machines for the Offices of the Commissioner, Joint Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner, H.R.&C.E. Department, Chennai-34 Purchase of a fax machine for the Office of the Commissioner H.R.&C.E. Department, Chennai-34 Total

05.50

05.50

01.50

01.50

00.10

00.10

22.70

22.70

TAMIL DEVELOPMENT, RELIGIOUS ENDOWMENTS AND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITBLE ENDOWMENTS DEPARTMENT DEMAND NO.47 POLICY NOTE 2011-12 INDEX S.No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Subjects Introduction Administration Institutions Classification of Institutions Administrative Structure Jewel Verification Officers Auditing Engineers Executive Officers Administration of Mutts Temples and Tamil PageNo. 1 1 2 3 4 12 12 12 14 15 15

ii S.No. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Subjects Advisory Committee PageNo. 15 S.No. (vi) (vii) Subjects

iii PageNo. 28 28 28 29 29 29

Temple development fund Village temples renovation fund

Appointment of Non-Hereditary Trustees 16 Jurisdiction of Powers Appointment of a Fit Person Land Administration Revenue Courts Fair Rent Fixation Retrieval of Temple Lands Regularisation of Group Encroachments Annadhanam Scheme Spiritual and Moral Classes Marriages for the Poor Special Rejuvenation Camp for Elephants Rope Cars Thiruppani (i) Public contribution (ii) Own funds of the temples (iii) Diversion of surplus funds (iv) Government grant (v) Common good fund 16 17 18 18 19 20 20

(viii) Temple renovation and charitable fund (ix) (x) (xi) Renovation by donors Finance Commission fund Renovation of the temple in the habitations of Adi dravida and tribal people Tourism Department fund

(xii) 21 23 23 24 25 26 27 27 27 27 27 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 29. 30. 31. 27. 28.

30 30 31 32 32 39 39 40 41 42 42

Thirukudamuzhuku Rain Water Harvesting and Renovation of Temple Tanks Revival of Kala Pooja Golden Cars and Silver Cars Maintenance and Preservation of Temple Wooden Cars Village Temple Poosarigal Welfare Board Oru Kala Pooja Scheme Basic Amentities for Devotees Distribution of Sarees/Dhoties Safety of Icons and Valuables

iv S.No. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. Subjects Temple Protection Force Karunai Illangal Educational Institutions and other Institutions Basic Amenities for Schools and Colleges Worship in Tamil Festivals Honouring Tamil Savants Thalavaralaru and Thalapuranam Pilgrims Guide Publishing Aagamas and other Books in Tamil Chartered Engineers Sthapathis Special Worship and Common Feast Refresher Training Course Appointment of Nathaswara Artists Welfare Schemes for Temple Employees i. ii. iii. Family Benefit Fund Scheme Special Provident Fund Scheme Temple Employees Welfare Scheme PageNo. 44 45 v. 45 58 52. 58 58 61 61 62 62 62 63 63 63 64 65 65 65 53. 54. 55. v. S.No. iv. Subjects

v PageNo. 65 66 68 68 68 69 71

Appointments on Compassionate Grounds Pension Schemes Financial Assistance to Children of Temple Employees.

Kosaalas Thirukkoil Monthly Magazine Conclusion Annexure Part II Scheme