ANCIENT TEMPLES UNDER RENOVATION

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CULTURAL HERITAGE RENAISSANCE TRUST (Regd.) (A Trust to Renovate dilapidated Ancient Temples)31, West Circular Road, Mandaveli, CHENNAI-600 028, INDIA President:Prof. R. RadhakrishnanProfessor (Retd.)IIT-Madras. Dear Sri Parthasarathy Gopalan, On behalf of our TRUST, I thank you very much for your interest in our Temple Renovation efforts for a Divine

Cause. Our Ancient Temples - with amazing sculpture and architecture - created by the great efforts of our kings, saints and the wealthy, in various structures including TEMPLES (which served as the focal points of society in the past), have passed through SEVERAL CENTURIES. Most of these temples are at present in a state of ruin and neglect with a little or no funds to maintain or preserve them. This is mainly due to the migration of people from rural areas to various cities or abroad in search of employment / business opportunities. Now, many such dilapidated temples are being renovated using sand blasting etc.

But, the temples completely shrouded by bushes and trees, with their roots penetrating deeply into the beautiful architectural constructions, can hardly be restored without damaging the fractured structure. Still it is the utmost duty of everyone to safeguard and preserve this kind of excellent architectural marvels. Realising the importance of preserving these artistic manifestations, the CULTURAL HERITAGE RENAISSANCE TRUST, was formed and registered as a Public Religious Trust. The main aim of the TRUST is to lovingly preserve the priceless, ancient architectural / cultural

/ historical treasures in our temples handed down to us by our forefathers and also to pass it on to our future generations. The TRUST consists of five members (three members retired from IIT-Madras). During renovation work, two of its Members stay in the Temple villages, apply their expertise and involve the local residents in the Renovation Work. The TRUST took initiative to inculcate an awareness among the villagers, the importance of Temple

Renovation, day-to-day maintenance and ultimately leading to Temple Worship. The local villagers lent their physical support for the renovation of four old temples. The TRUST took initiative in the Temple Renovation work, providing electrification for the convenience of devotees, strengthening security measures in these Temples in two villages. For more details of our efforts, please visit our following websites: www.geocities.com/templerenovate (with pictures) www.geocities.com/cultureheritage http://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/10/14/stories/2005101400580300.htm http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/06/11/stories/2004061101760400.htm The TRUST guided the local residents to organise religious functions on important days like Shashti, Pradhosham, etc. at these Temples and this has become a regular feature nowadays. In Sri Chokkanatha Swamy Temple, Thirumangaicheri village, the TRUST completed the renovation work and would like to construct a marriage hall, depending upon the funds availability. This would surely help people in that area to assemble and create an atmosphere of goodwill to celebrate marriage, religious meetings etc. The revenue to be collected to conduct

functions in the Temple hall, would be a source of revenue for temple maintenance. In all the four temples for which the TRUST has undertaken renovation work, the archakas are being paid by the Tamil Nadu Government HR & CE Department and the main ritual is conducted for daily pooja (2 kala pooja at present) in addition to functions on important days (initiated by the TRUST). The TRUST obtained permission from the HR & CE Dept. of the State Government, to carry out the Temple Renovation Work in these four temples. The renovation for two temples have been completed fully by His Grace. The residents of the village have agreed to celebrate Kumbabhishekam for one of the two temples. Since the TRUST fully depends on the contributions of devotees, the Devotees of our Group may kindly interact with the TRUST for completing this Temples Renovation of the remaining two temples for a DIVINE CAUSE. With regards, Yours, Prof. R. Radhakrishnan President, Cultural Heritage Renaissance Trust

(Regd.) 31, West Circular Road, Mandaveli, Chennai-600 028, INDIA Ph: 44-24642088 Parthasarathy Gopalan <gsarathy32 wrote: hi,thank you very much for your mail.i wish to know the yardsticks you follow in renovationof temple.can we think of sustained efforts so that renovatedtemples become self supporting and support community.can the renovated temples be used to help thecommunity by helping in daytoday domestic religiousactivities of all local hindus [and other needy]frombirth to death and beyond so that hindus will gainstrength and unity.now the main ritual is conducting 6kala poojas if possible .show harati be happy withcoins collected.the illeterate archakas areguardians.there is nobody to guide a hindu in thetemple.devotees may do occational thanks giving!.can we think of creating a permanent source of moneyso that such renovation can be looked after by thetemple itself in future.i will be happy to interactwith you.sarathy

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