Guruvayur News

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Devaswom defers decision on funds

 

Staff Reporter

 

 

 

 

GURUVAYUR: The Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee has deferred a

decision on the proposal mooted by the Government to make the

Devaswom part-finance the water supply and drainage schemes for the

temple town.

 

``In fact, we have not applied our mind on the issue. We will be able

to finalise the decision only after we get the details of the

proposed master plan. We will be holding discussions with the

Government in this regard,'' Managing Committee chairman K.

Velayudhan Nambiar told The Hindu here after a two-day meeting of the

Committee on Tuesday.

 

Replying to questions, he said Devaswom officials would hold a

discussion with the Government on the proposed master plan in the

third week of July. The Government's proposal to use Devaswom funds

for the two schemes had created a furore with National Congress

(Indira) chairman K. Karunakaran, several Hindu organisations and a

section of the Devaswom staff opposing it.

 

Mr. Nambiar said the Devaswom would construct a low-cost lodge at

Guruvayur to house about 1,000 pilgrims. He said the Committee had

removed all the hurdles that prevented the construction of the

Sathram auditorium. The work is likely to be completed by December

with the earlier estimated cost of Rs.7 crores.

 

The tender for the construction of the Thulabharam counter has been

given to Srishti Constructions, Ernakulam. It has agreed to construct

the counter at a cost of Rs.1.17 crores.

 

The Committee has sanctioned Rs.2.9 lakhs for the rainwater

harvesting scheme to be implemented around the temple. A sum of

Rs.2.8 lakhs has been sanctioned for the coming Ashtami Rohini

celebrations.

 

The Devaswom has decided to institute an award for the best Carnatic

musician (both vocal and instrumental) in the name of the late

Chembai Vaidyanatha Bhagavathar. The award that carries a purse of

Rs.50,001, a gold medal and a citation will be presented to the

winner on the inaugural day of the annual Chembai music festival. A

five-member judging committee has been constituted to select the

winner.

 

The Guruvayurappan Award will be given to a Nadaswaram exponent this

year.

 

http://www.hindu.com/2005/07/06/stories/2005070602180500.htm