ROPE CARS 

        Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered for introducing  the first   Rope Car facility in  South India   in Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy Temple, Palani at an  estimated cost of Rs.4 crore to facilitate differently abled persons, senior citizens, sick persons, for the families coming with small children and others to easily get transported to the hill temple and to receive the blessings of God. This Rope car was commissioned by Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma on 03.11.2004 and dedicated  for  the use of  the devotees. The introduction of Rope Car facility was much welcomed and received appreciation from the devotees. Hence, Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered for introducing another   Rope Car. Steps are being taken to implement an additional Rope Car in Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani and a Rope Car in Arulmigu Lakshimi Narashimhaswamy temple, Sholingar with modern technology. 

THIRUPPANI

      There are several holy abodes  in Tamil Nadu adored  by Alwars and Nayanmars through their hymns.  Renovation is inevitable for better preservation and protection of small temples located by rural sides, located at the habitats where people belonging to Scheduled Caste and Backward classes reside and temples of ancient and historical importance.

      Bearing this in mind, renovations are carried out for temples from the following financial sources:

1. Public donation

2. Own funds of the temples

3. Diversion  of surplus funds from the affluent temples

4. Government grant     

5. Common Good Fund

6. Temple Development Fund

7. Village Temple Renovation Fund

8. Temple Renovation and Charitable Fund

9. Renovation works carried out by donors

10.Central Government’s Finance Commission Fund

11.Renovation  for the temples situated in the habitations of Adi  dravida   and tribal people

12.Tourism Department Fund

 i.PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

      Most of the renovation works of the  temples are carryout  with the donations made wholeheartedly by persons interested in spiritual thoughts and  Hindu religion, Industrialists, wealthy people, Private Institutions and the public.

ii.OWN FUNDS OF THE TEMPLES

      Most of the renovation works are carried out from the funds of the respective temples.

 iii.DIVERSION OF SURPLUS FUNDS

      Under Section 36 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, funds are diverted from the surplus funds of affluent temples to needy temples for the purpose of renovation.

iv.GOVERNMENT GRANT

      Every year Rs.3 crore is allocated for the  repair and  renovation  of temples as Government grant.

 v.COMMON GOOD FUND

     Provision has been made  for the creation of “Common Good Fund”  in the designation of Commissioner under Section 97 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act from the contributions  received from  the  Religious Institutions and voluntary donations received from the individuals. The financial assistance received   for the Common Good Fund is utilized for the maintenance and renovation  of temples.  

vi.TEMPLE DEVELOPMENT FUND  

      A Corpus of Rs. 8 crore has been  created  from the surplus funds of affluent temples. From the  interest accrued,  funds are  allotted  for  the renovations and repairs of  ancient  temples, temples sung by Nayanmars and Alwars  and for the temples having ancient historical and  archaeological  importance. 

vii.VILLAGE TEMPLES RENOVATION FUND

       As a permanent measure for  the Village Temple Renovation, a  Corpus Fund of Rs.2 crore has been created from the surplus funds of Arulmighu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani.  From the interest accrued to give financial assistance for the renovation of small temples under the control of this Department as a permanent measure the ’Village Temples Renovation Scheme” has been created. Through this Scheme Rs.25,000/- is given as financial assistance per temple.

viii.TEMPLE RENOVATION AND CHARITABLE FUND   

       With the noble object  to preserve the ancient, traditional  and cultural values of the  temples,  Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma on 05.08.1991,created  a fund namely “The Chief Minister’s Temple Renovation and Maintenance Fund” with a sum of Rs.1,00,008/- from the personal fund of  Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma.  Further, donations were received  for this fund from  philanthropists and the general public. Later this fund has been renamed as ‘Temple Renovation and Charitable Fund’. This fund is  being  utilised  for the renovation of ancient temples.

 ix.RENOVATION BY DONORS

     It is also in practice that temple renovations are being carried out voluntarily by devotees as donor work subject to the supervision of  this Department.

x.FINANCE COMMISSION FUND 

      The 12^th Finance  Commission provided financial aid of  Rs. 9.87 crore for the ancient temples of heritage value for the renovation to be carried without changing their antiquity. This fund has been utilised for  the renovation of 46 temples. A financial aid of Rs.22.50 crore is allocated for the renovation of 89 temples through  the 13^th Finance Commission of  the Central Government for this financial year.  Steps  have been taken for the proper utilization of this fund to renovate ancient temples without changing their antiquity.

xi.RENOVATION OF THE TEMPLES IN THE HABITATIONS OF ADI    DRAVIDA AND TRIBAL PEOPLE

      With the assistance of funds received  from the surplus funds of the affluent temples, a financial assistance of Rs.25,000/- per temple is  given  for the  renovation of small temples situated in the habitations of Adi Dravida and Tribal  people.

 xii.TOURISM DEPARTMENT FUND

     Tourism Department is  contributing a portion as financial assistance for providing necessary basic amenities like toilets, bathrooms, dormitories , drinking water facilities, information centers, approach roads, highmast lamps, cloak rooms and provision of lawns and parking facilities required for  the devotees visiting temples. Steps are being taken for providing facilities for devotees as well as  tourists  by  utilizing this fund along with  the temple contributions.

THIRUKUDAMUZHUKU

      As per Aagamas  Thirukudamuzhuku ought to be performed every 12 years in every temple after renovations. Generally temples are classified as below and renovation works are carried out and Thirukudamuzhuku is performed :

    1)   Temples sung and  praised by Alwars and Nayanmars in their hymns.

2)   Temples which are historically and archaeologically important.

3)   Temples popular for fulfilling vows. (Prarthanas)

4)   Small temples situated in the villages and in the habitations of Adi Dravida, Tribals and Backward class people.

       In Tamil Nadu, there are several temples famous as once  praised in their hyms by Alwars and Nayanmars and temples ancient   and historically important. After this Government took charge, Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma has ordered to renovate these temples and perform Thirukudamuzhuku and also to perform renovation and Thirukudamuzhuku for 1006 temples this year and action is being taken expeditiously.

RAIN WATER HARVESTING AND RENOVATION OF TEMPLE TANKS

      The Rain Water Harvesting Scheme, announced  in his Excellency the  Governor’s Speech in the year 2002-2003 as one of the scheme of Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalavi Amma has been implemented  properly with  regard to temple tanks. There are 38,481 Temples and Religious Institutions under the control of the H.R.&.C.E. Department. Among these, there are 2359 holy tanks in 1586 temples. Out of these 1291 holy tanks are in good condition. The remaining 1,068 holy tanks require to be repaired and rain water harvesting to be implemented. There was setback in  implementing this scheme during the  last few years. After this Government took charge the following steps have been taken  to revive this Scheme.

1)   Removing encroachments inside  and outside the temple tanks

2)   Building Compound walls or fencing the  temple tanks

3)   Desilting and deepening the tanks

4)   Relaying the steps of the temple tanks

5)   Providing drains for rain water to flow into the temple tanks

REVIVAL OF KALA POOJA

     Keeping in mind, the irregularity  in performing Kala Poojas found  in a few  financially needy but historically renowned ancient temples, Hon’ble Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma ordered in the year 2005 for performing full fledged  Kalapoojas. Accordingly 22 financially weak temples were provided with financial assistance by the financially affluent temples. This Scheme was abandoned by the previous Government. After this Government assumed office, steps have been taken for reviving this exemplary scheme.

GOLDEN CARS AND SILVER CARS

      It is a  customary practice that the  devotees visiting temples to fulfill their owes to pull the golden or silver car mounted with the deity.  At present there are  51 temples having   Golden  Cars and  38 temples having   Silver Cars  in use.

TEMPLES HAVING GOLDEN CARS 

1.	Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani.
2.	Arulmigu Kandaswamy temple, Poonga Nagar, Chennai.
3.	Arulmigu Vadapalaniandavar temple, Vadapalani.
4.	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruttani.
5.	Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman temple, Tiruverkadu.
6.	Arulmigu Swaminathaswamy temple, Swamimalai.
7.	Arulmigu Vaithyanathaswamy temple, Vaitheeswarankoil.
8.	Arulmigu Vinayagar temple, Echanari, Coimbatore.
9.	Arulmigu Mariamman temple, Samyapuram, Trichy.
10.	Arulmigu Meenakshisundareswarar temple, Madurai.
11.	Arulmigu Sankaranarayanaswamy temple, Sankarankoil.
12.	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruchendur.
13.	Arulmigu Vanamamalai Perumal temple, Nanguneri.
14.	Arulmigu Kamatchiamman temple, Kancheepuram.
15.	Arulmigu Balamurugan temple, Rathinagiri.
16.	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Sivanmalai.
17.	Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar temple, Mylapore.
18.	Arulmigu Kamakshiamman temple, Mangadu.
19.	Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameswaram.
20.	Arulmigu Madurakaliamman temple, Siruvachur.
21.	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Maruthamalai.
22.	Arulmigu Bannarimariamman temple, Bannari.
23.	Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai.
24.	Arulmigu Maruntheeswarar temple, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai.
25.	Arulmigu Velayuthaswamy temple, Thindalmalai, Erode.
26.	Arulmigu Ananda Padmanathaswamy temple, Adayar, Chennai.
27.	Arulmigu Karunellinathaswamy temple, Tiruthangal, Sivakasi.
28.	Arulmigu Mundagakaniamman temple, Mylapore, Chennai.
29.	Arulmigu Venkatachalapathiswamy temple, Uppiliappankoil, Kumbakonam.
30.	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruparankundram.
31.	Arulmigu Mariamman temple, Karur.
32.	Arulmigu Thandumariamman temple, Coimbatore.
33.	Arulmigu Chandrasudeswarar temple, Hosur.
34.	Arulmigu Jambukeswarar and Akilandeswariamman temple, Tiruvanaikaval.
35.	Arulmigu Aanjaneyaswamy temple, Namakal.
36.	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Pachaimalai, Gopichettipayalayam.
37.	Arulmigu Vettudaiyar Kaliamman temple, Ariyakurchi.
38.	Arulmigu Nelliappar Gandhimathiamman temple, Tirunelveli.
39.	Arulmigu Kannudaiya Nayagiamman temple, Nattarasankottai, Sivagangai.
40.	Arulmigu Arthanareeswarar temple, Tiruchengode, Salem.
41.	Arulmigu Vekkaliamman temple, Uraiyur, Trichy.
42.	Arulmigu Sugavaneswarar  temple, Salem.
43.	Arulmigu  Kottaimariamman temple, Salem.
44.	Arulmigu Murugan temple, Solaimalai Mandapam (Alagarkoil), Madurai.
45.	Arulmigu Lakshmi Narasimhaswamy temple, Sholingar, Vellore.
46.	Arulmigu Thyagarajaswamy temple, Tiruvotriyur,     Tiruvallur.
47.	Arulmigu Kottaimariamman temple, Dindigul.
48.	Arulmigu Angalaparameswari temple, Melmalaiyanur, Villpuram.
49.	Arulmigu Kondathukaliamman temple, Pariyur, Erode.
50.	Arulmigu Kandaswamy temple, Tiruporur, Chenglepet, Kancheepuram .
51.	Arulmigu Masaniamman temple, Aanaimalai, Coimbatore.

TEMPLES HAVING SILVER CARS

	Arulmigu Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Palani.
	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple,  Tiruchendur.
	Arulmigu Meenakshisundareswar temple, Madurai.
	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Tiruttani.
	Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameswaram.
	Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar temple,  Tiruvannamalai.
	Arulmigu Swaminathaswamy temple, Swamimalai.
	Arulmigu Nellaiyappar  Gandhimathiamman temple, Tirunelveli.
	Arulmigu Padaleeswarar temple, Tirupathiripuliyur.
	Arulmigu  Vaithyanathaswamy temple, Vaitheeswarankoil.
	Arulmigu   Chattanathaswamy temple, Sirkali.
	Arulmigu Mayuranathaswamy temple, Mayiladuthurai.
	Arulmigu Mariamman , Angalamman temple, Pollachi.
	Arulmigu Prasanna Vinayagar temple, Udumalaipettai.
	Arulmigu Devi Karumariamman temple, Tiruverkadu.
	Arulmigu Kolanjiappar temple, Manavalanallur.
	Arulmigu Ekambaranathar temple, Kancheepuram.
	Arulmigu Kamatchiamman temple, Kancheepuram.
	Arulmigu Muthukumaraswamy temple, Park Town, Chennai.
	Arulmigu Tiruvenkadamudayan temple, Ariyakurichi.
	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Kundrakudi.
	Arulmigu Meenakshisundareswarar temple, Keelasevelpatti.
	Arulmigu Kannudaiya Nayagiamman temple, Natarasankottai.
	Arulmigu Koppudaya Nayagiamman temple, Karaikudi.
	Arulmigu Nagarasivan (A) Meenakshisundareswarar temple, Devakottai.
	Arulmigu Muthumariamman temple, Konnaiyur, Tirumayam taluk.
	Arulmigu Aruthra Kapaleeswarar temple, Erode Town.
	Arulmigu Sangameswarar temple, Bhavani.
	Arulmigu Palaniandavar temple, Bhavani.
	Arulmigu Balasubramaniaswamy temple, Aayakudi, Tirunelveli.
	Arulmigu  Madurakaliamman temple, Thottiyam.
	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Neyveli, Panrutti.
	Arulmigu Veyuluku Uganda Vinayagar temple, Uppur, Ramanathapuram.
	Arulmigu Soundararajaperumal temple, Dindigul.
	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Kumarakottam, Kancheepuram.
	Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy temple, Ettukudi, Nagapattinam.
	Arulmigu Ekambareswarar and Dhandayuthapaniswamy temple, Chettikulam, Perambalur.
	Arulmigu Muthumariamman temple, Karaikudi, Nagar and Taluk, Sivagangai.

MAINTENANCE AND PRESERVATION OF TEMPLE WOODEN CARS

        There are 989 Wooden Cars in  809 temples under the control of this Department.  To repair 241 Cars at the estimate of Rs.11.17 crore a corpus was created from the surplus funds of financially affluent temples in February 2006.   As a result of this,  91 Temple Cars have been repaired and renovated.  At present 686  Temple Cars are in good condition. Repair works of 25 Cars in the remaining 303 Cars are being  carried out. Remaining 278 Cars are to be repaired.  Steps are being taken for repairing them. In order to safeguard the  Temple Cars, steps have been taken to provide roofs which are fire proof, wheels and axles made of steel and to insure them. Due to  this, steps have been taken to conduct Car Festivals which were stopped and to safeguard the  Cars.

CHARTERED  ENGINEERS

      In order to avoid delay in the preparation of estimates for renovation works of temples, retired engineers of the Public Works Department  and the Highways Department have been approved as panel engineers. The approved panel engineers prepare drawings, estimates and do similar works necessary for the renovation of temples.

 STHAPATHIS

     To ensure  that the temple renovations  are carried out in accordance with the standards  prescribed in  Aagama and Silpa Sasthra, persons practising this art, learnt traditionally  from their ancestors  and those  possessing a degree or a diploma in sculptural arts  have been approved as Sthapathis.