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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Govt starts free spiritual tour to Amman temples
Chennai: Tamil Nadu govt has launched free Aadi month spiritual tours for senior citizens at the Arulmigu Vadivudaiamman Temple in Thiruvottiyur. As part of the inauguration event on Friday, HR&CE department issued travel kits to 56 elderly devotees. The kits contained an amman photo, a saree, a water bottle, biscuits, prasadam, kumkum, and a towel. HR&CE minister P K Sekarbabu said the state will take 2,000 devotees on spiritual tours to famous Amman temples during the Aadi month. The tours are being held in five phases from Chennai, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, and Tirunelveli on July 18, 25, Aug 1, 8, and 15. "In Chennai, the pilgrimage includes visits to temples such as Vadivudaiamman (Thiruvottiyur), Kalikambal (Parrys), Karpagambal (Mylapore), Devi Karumari Amman (Thiruverkadu), and Kamakshi Amman (Mangadu). Special darshan, prasadam, and lunch are arranged at each shrine," he said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai A total of 389 devotees joined the first phase of tours across districts. "Last year, 25 lakh was allocated and 1,003 pilgrims benefited. This year, the allocation has been doubled to 50 lakh," the minister said. HR&CE department will spend 2.3 crore for 920 devotees for pilgrimages to Rameswaram–Kashi. Additionally, this year, 600 more people will be taken at a cost of 1.5 crore. For Arupadai Veedu, 2,000 people benefited from 2.14 crore spent. Subsidies for Manasarovar and Muktinath yatras have also been increased to 1 lakh and 30,000 respectively. The govt also plans to renovate spiritual routes by adding more train services, creating more toilets, lighting, and drinking water facilities.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Murugan temple in Kodungaiyur limits revived, 10 years on
Chennai: The centuries-old Arulmigu Muthukumaraswamy Temple in Poongavanam Nagar, Kodungaiyur, witnessed a kumbabishekam (consecration) ceremony on Tuesday. The event was part of the state govt's efforts to revive core city temples that had not undergone consecration in more than a decade. HR&CE minister P K Sekarbabu oversaw the rituals. Renovation work, including the restoration of the Raja Gopuram, sanctum structures, and mandapams, were completed at a cost of 91.5lakh, funded by temple resources and donors. Since the DMK govt came to power, 3,386 temples, including 131 Murugan temples in places such as Palani, Thiruchendur, Thirupparankundram, and Vadapalani, have been restored. "Under CM Stalin's aegis, a revival of Murugan temples is underway. Kumbhabhishekams were held at Palani after 16 years and at Thiruchendur and Thirupparankundram after more than a decade. The state has invested more than 1,085cr in renovating 884 Murugan temples. The govt also hosted the grand World Tamil Murugan Conference in 2024, drawing more than five lakh attendees. Projects include the construction of towering Murugan statues at Marudhamalai (184ft), Thindal (180ft), and Kumaragiri (114ft)," said Sekarbabu. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Infrastructure improvements such as cable cars, electric lifts, and hill paths to enhance accessibility, along with annadanam and prasadam schemes, have also been introduced. "We also introduced free pilgrimages for senior citizens, student scholarships, and cultural preservation through Thavil-Nadaswaram schools," he added.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Consecration done at 3,325 temples in Tamil Nadu in last four years: Minister Sekarbabu
ERODE: Under the Dravidian model of governance, temple renovations have been prioritised, and nearly Rs 1,400 crore has been received through sponsors for such renovations, said Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department Minister PK Sekarbabu, in Erode on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, he said, 'Kumbabhishekam has been performed in 3,325 temples under the DMK regime. Further, consecration will be conducted in 46 temples, including at the Thiruparankundram temple on Monday. By the end of this year, renovation work will be completed at 3,500 temples and Kumbabhishekam will be performed. Renovations are under way at Palani and Tiruchendur temples, and Rs 54 crore has been allocated to create an alternative route at Tiruttani temple. Steps are also being taken to install elevators at Swamimalai and Marudhamalai.' 'After the DMK came to power, renovations are under way at many temples. More temple renovations are taking place under the DMK government than during the regime of kings. The government is going to erect the tallest Murugan statue, at 186 feet, at the Velayudhaswamy Temple in Thindal of Erode district, and the work will begin soon.' Earlier, Sekarbabu and Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy visited the Velayudhaswamy temple.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Pournami Thiruvilakku puja in 25 temples now
Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P K Sekarbabu on Thursday launched Pournami Thiruvilakku puja by 108 women at five more temples including Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore. With this, the facility of women devotees being able to take part in this puja will be available in 25 temples. Till now a total of 65,400 women have performed the puja after duly registering at the respective temples. The women are provided a lot with 23 items each such as kumkum, brass lamp and flowers. Mr. Sekarbabu said that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had directed that the payment being collected from the devotees being reduced. Women devotees will have to pay only ₹100 each instead of ₹200 per puja.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Tiruchendur temple consecration to be held in Tamil: Min
Madurai: HR&CE minister P K Sekarbabu, who reviewed work underway for the consecration of Thiruparankundram Murugan temple in Madurai on Wednesday night, told reporters that the consecration ceremony will be held entirely in Tamil, as fitting for the Tamil deity, Lord Murugan. The minister told reporters that the ceremony will be held on July 14 from 6am to 7.15am. Work worth around Rs 2.5 crore is being carried out at the temple. "As thousands of devotees are expected to gather for the consecration happening after 14 years, LED screens will be set up. Sufficient facilities such as food, drinking water, and toilets will also be arranged. Since the DMK govt came to power, consecration ceremonies have been carried out at 117 Murugan temples across the state," he added. Sekarbabu said DMK and 'Dravida model' govt are prioritising welfare of temple devotees, which is why Rs400 crore is being spent on the consecration of Tiruchendur Murugan temple. "Earlier too, the court heard cases and the state govt made it clear that consecration ceremonies can be conducted in Tamil as well. It is the DMK govt that is incentivising priests to perform 'Archanai' in Tamil," he said. On the upcoming Murugan devotees' conference planned by Hindu right-wing outfits, the minister said the Murugan conference held in Palani was the one attended by real devotees, and that is enough. "No political party leaders were invited for it. No special incentives like free buses or trains were operated or receipts collected. It was completely voluntary. People from all walks of life, from judges and spiritual leaders to devotees, even from countries like China and Japan, attended. There was no talk of politics. The same cannot be said about the upcoming conference," he said.
