Once again, TR Ramesh, a leading advocate for temple preservation, has cynically sounded the alarm regarding the purported absence of two ancient temples from the area earmarked by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department’s Integrated Temple Management Information System in Tiruvannamalai.
Tiruvannamalai, situated in Tamil Nadu, stands as a multifaceted city, blending spiritual and cultural significance. It boasts the revered Annamalaiyar temple, the majestic Annamalai hill, the ritualistic Girivalam, and the vibrant Karthigai Deepam festival, making it a focal point for pilgrims. Within its bounds lie 1472 temples, as reported by the HR&CE department.
Among these, two ancient temples, the Sri Idumban Temple and Sri Ilayanar Temple, hold distinct historical importance, bearing the MIS numbers 42925 and 42926, respectively.
These temples, purportedly located near the bus stand, are documented in the records of the HR&CE and uploaded in its website. To aid devotees in finding these sacred sites, GIS maps have been made available. However, temple activists have expressed dismay at the absence of actual temple images on the official website. Instead, the pictures for Ilayanar Temple shows a hardwards and paints shop while the Idumban temple pictures show a dilapidated build at the junction of the road.
This has led to concerns about the precarious situation of smaller lesser known local temple that are under the ambit of HR&CE.
On 15 April 2024, temple activist TR Ramesh formally notified the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu government and the Commissioner of HR&CE regarding discrepancies purportedly identified in the temple MIS system.
Despite his efforts, he has not received any response from the authorities. He indicated that if this issue remains unaddressed, he will pursue legal remedies.
TR Ramesh communicated this stance through his official X handle that, “On 15th April I issued notice to TN Govt Secretary and @tnhrcedept Commissioner stating two ancient temples in Tiruvannamalai town are missing – It appears I am wrong – Not only has the @tnhrcedept website has given the temples’ GIS Maps – they have also given the “AMAZING ” Pictures of the temple said to be missing – The Temple numbers are – (a) Sri Idumban Temple – Integrated Temple Management System No. 42925 (b) Sri Ilayanar Temple – Integrated Temple Management System No. 42926 I have never seen temple pictures like these – simply amazing – Hey @tnhrcedept – Way to go – (that is…. the way to go and disappear… for Hindu temples under your control) These and more “pictures of the missing temples” are uploaded by the greatest administrators of Hindu Temples ever – THE TN HR&CE Department of Government of Tamil Nadu. hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/templ And dont forget – this Govt charges Hindu Temples 16% of their income as Administration fees and audit fess – If you are not able to see the temples in these pictures – you must be lacking devotion. Perhaps this is why the Govt Secretary and the Commissioner of @tnhrcedept did not reply to my legal notice – The temples are there as evidenced by the “photos” posted by the Dept in its website. Still – I think I would be filing a Writ Petition seeking to know what happened to this and other missing temples“
On 15th April I issued notice to TN Govt Secretary and @tnhrcedept Commissioner stating two ancient temples in Tiruvannamalai town are missing – It appears I am wrong –
Not only has the @tnhrcedept website has given the temples' GIS Maps – they have also given the "AMAZING "… pic.twitter.com/wRVKTugYef
— trramesh (@trramesh) May 14, 2024