Ancient Temples under Renovation - An Appeal for support

December 23, 2005

CULTURAL HERITAGE RENAISSANCE TRUST (Regd.) (A Trust to renovate dilapidated Ancient Temples) 31, West

Circular Road, Mandaveli, CHENNAI-600 028, INDIA Phone: 44-24642088 / 24641931 e-mail :

cultureheritage ABOUT THE TRUST Indian Arts viz. excellent

architecture / sculptures etc. in our Ancient Temples have passed through several centuries. But, most of these Temples are in a state of ruin / neglect with a little or no funds even to light a Diya, leave alone Daily Pooja. This TRUST was formed and registered as a Religious Trust for renovating dilapidated Ancient Temples. Four such Ancient Temples were selected for renovation by the TRUST near Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu. The

Trust's Members stay in the Temple villages, involve local people and apply new technology in the Renovation Work. In these Temples, there were heavy growths of trees / bushes etc. with their roots penetrating deeply into the temple structures. After prolonged efforts, the TRUST succussfully destroyed these trees / bushes from the Temple structures without causing much damage to the fine sculptures / architectures. These Temples lacked even the minimum basic requirements, like oil for lamps and Vasthrams (clothes) for the Deities. We are happy to state that now, all the above four temples and a few other Temples in the nearby villages, have adequate Vasthrams for the deities and are provided with electrical lights and traditional “Nanda Vilakku”. Normal worship is

restored in these Temples with an awakening among the local residents. The TRUST’s Efforts: 1. The renovation of (1) Sri Dhandayuthapani Temple (400 years old) was completed and Kumbabhishekam was performed on 20.1.2002. 2. In respect of (2) Sri Chokkanatha Swami Temple, the TRUST renovated the entire Structure of this 900-year old beautiful Temple. Celebration of Kumbabishekam is kept pending for want of funds. 3. The ongoing renovation work in respect of (3) Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple and (4) Sri Sundareswara Swami Temple is yet to be completed. Pl. visit our following web-sites & Temple Renovation efforts: http://www.geocities.com/templerenovate (with illustrative photo-pictures) http://www.geocities.com/cultureheritage andhttp://www.hindu.com/fr/2005/10/14/stories/2005101400580300.htm andhttp://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/06/11/stories/2004061101760400.htm THE TRUST FULLY DEPENDS ON THE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM DEVOTEES. The TRUST is authorised to accept Cheques in any Currency. All the Devotees, including the Devotees residing abroad, are requested to kindly contribute to this DIVINE CAUSE. YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS ARE SOLICITED through crossed Cheques / Demand Drafts payable to CULTURAL HERITAGE RENAISSANCE TRUST (in any convenient currency) to the following mailing address. T.R. Nagarajan, Trustee, CULTURAL HERITAGE RENAISSANCE TRUST 31, West Circular Road, Mandaveli, CHENNAI-600 028, INDIA. Board of Trustees: President: Prof.R.Radhakrishnan Professor (Retd.) IIT-Madras Secretary: T.R.Nagarajan Chartered Accountant, Chennai Treasurer: S.Chandramouli Secretary (Retd) IIT-Madras Members: K.Jayaraman Regl.Director (Retd) Min.of Labour. S.Pichuraman Asst. Engineer (Retd.) IIT-Madras http://us.f517.mail./ym/Compose?DMid=3055_2520101_6059_459_3843_0_9536_22223_2664890189 & YY=36939 & inc=25 & order=down & sort=date & pos=0 & view=a & head=b & box=Draft http://us.f517.mail./ym/Compose?YY=52046

for Good - Make a difference this year.

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less