Srirangam temple renovation starts

 After Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s instruction to officials to ensure expeditious completion of the renovation works at Srirangam Ranganathar temple, a special 'Sudharshana homam' was performed at the 1,000-pillar mandapam on Thursday, marking the inauguration of the 'samprokshanam' of the temple.

The homam preceded a series of rituals that lasted for about two hours since 5.30 am. It commenced with 'sankalpam' followed by Visvakshena avahanam.

The ritual of 'avahanam’ of Sri Ranganatha Perumal, Sri Ranganayaki Thaayar ,Sri Sudharshanam, Sri Narasimhar and, Sri Dhanvanthiri in a golden 'kudam' was performed for about an hour till 7.30 a.m. Exactly at 7-32 a.m., the rituals of 'sudharshana homam' commenced and concluded at about 8.10 a.m..

P. Chendur Pandian, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, (HR and CE), T.P. Poonatchi, State Minister, R. Kannan, Princpal Secretary to Government, HR and CE, P., Dhanapal, Commisioner, HR and CE.

R. Manoharan, Government Whip and M. Paranjothi, MLA, were present. The holy waters were sprinkled on the devotees at the end of the 'homam'. A team of Vedic pandits led by Sri Nandu Bhattar, Sri Murali Bhattar, Sri Sundar Bhatar, and S.K. Rangarajan Bhattar performed the homam.

Later, the Minister laid the 'pandakaal', marking the inauguration of the 'civil works for samprokshanam' on the ground in front of the '1,000-pillar mandapam'. Addressing presspersons the Minister said that the work on 'samprokshanam' for which the Chief Minister had sanctioned Rs. 10.45 crore, would be completed on a faster phase, in accordance with the Chief Minister's directive. Abot 5,000-odd temples across the state had been renovated in the last few years.

The Srirangam temple was renovated last in 2001.

Estimate prepared for Tiruvanaikovil

Mr. Dhanapal said that the HR and CE department has prepared an estimate for the renovation of the Sri Jamubukeswarar- Sri Akilandeswari temple, one of the five major temples (pancha bhootha sthalam) dedicated to Lord Shiva and represents water at Tiruvanaikovil.

Source