Chennai: Tamilnadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P. K Sekarbabu has launched automated vibhuthi and kumkumam making facility in eight temples in the State.
The machines, installed at a total cost of Rs three crore will help ensure quality and quantity of the products that are distributed to devotees after being offered to the respective deity.
The Minister launched the facility at the Goddess Sri Devi Karumariamman Temple in Thiruverkadu in the city.
He said the vibhuthi and kumkumam made at these eight locations would be sent to other temples for use.
On an average, 24 tonnes of vibhuthi and 18 tonnes of kumkumam were required in temples under the purview of the HR&CE department every month.
The facilities to make kumkum were launched at the Bannariamman temple,
Karumariamman temple in Thiruverkadu, Meenakshiamman temple in Madurai and Mariamman temple in Samayapuram and those to produce vibhuthi at Lod Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai, Lord Subramanyaswamy temple in Tiruchendur, Lord Palaniandavar temple in Palani and Lord Jambukeshwarar temple in Thiruaanaikaval.
‘Depending on the requirement, the facilities would be extended to more temples. This was one of the 112 announcements made in the State Assembly last year. The 112 announcements require 1,691 works to be implemented,’ Sekarbabu said.