The Hindu Munnani has harshly criticized the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department and the state government for neglecting ancient temples, vital symbols of our history, culture, and civilization. According to the organization, these temples, some of which have stood for thousands of years, are now falling into disrepair under the current DMK government in Tamil Nadu. They question whether the HR&CE department will take action on temples with high incomes and will carry out immediate repairs to the deteriorating structures amidst allegations of mismanagement.
In Thiruvarangulam, near Alangudi in the Pudukkottai district, the renowned Perianayaki Amman Udanurai Arungulanathar temple, which hosts the Vaikasi Visagam and Aadipura festivals with great pomp annually, is in distress. The temple’s Rajagopuram has become overgrown with plants and is dilapidated, causing concerns that the Swami idols in the Gopuram might fall.
Devotees were alarmed when the top of the Rajagopuram collapsed, leading them to demand immediate repairs. Despite petitions sent to the HR&CE Department and the Chief Minister over several months, no action has been taken, and on the 13th of this month, the Maha Mandapam collapsed. Similar ancient temples are also suffering from neglect and are not being considered for reconstruction, for example, the Maha Mandapam at the temple in Thiruchitrambalam village, Tenkasi district, also collapsed, shocking devotees. They, too, have called for urgent repairs to the temple tower.
Hence, the Hindu Munnani urged the Tamil Nadu Government and the HR&CE department not to neglect these temples further and to restore and protect them before more damage occurs.
Additionally, the Hindu Munnani has urged the government to ensure the preservation of two recently uncovered Pandya period inscriptions found by the Archaeological Survey of India at the ancient Kallikottai Shiva temple in Paramakudi, Ramanathapuram district.
Therefore, the Hindu Munnani has called on the Tamil Nadu Government and the HR&CE department to take immediate action to prevent further neglect and to restore and protect these temples before they suffer more damage.
ஆயிரமாயிரம் ஆண்டுகள் பழமையான நம் வரலாறு மற்றும் பண்பாட்டின் அடையாளமாக விளங்கிடும் திருக்கோவில்கள் பாழடைந்து சிதிலமடைந்து வருகின்றன…
வருமானம் அதிகமாக வரும் கோவில்களில் வாரிச் சுருட்டும் அறநிலையத்துறையே.!
சிதிலமடைந்து வரும் கோவில்களை சீரமைத்திடு.!@CMOTamilnadu @PKSekarbabu pic.twitter.com/B4oenWIUgu— Hindu Munnani (@hindumunnani_tn) August 28, 2024
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