Chennai: At a time when people are conspiring ways to snatch temple lands and properties, not often do we find people serving selflessly for the welfare of religious shrines.
One such person is S Ganesan from Ambattur who has founded “Hindu Alayangal Sutham Seyyum Iraipani Mandram”, that engages in maintenance and rejuvenation work in 210 temples across Tamilnadu.
In and around the locality, they have worked at Thirumullaivoyal Maasilamaneeswar Temple, Pancheti Agatheeswarar Temple and Koyambedu Kurungaleeswarar Temple.
In conversation with News Today, Ganesan shares the story behind its inception, work, goal and much more.
On how it all started, Ganesan shares, “I had, by chance, gone to Agatheeswarar Temple at Perungalathur way back in 2000s with my friend on his request. When we were walking around the santum sanctorum, we met an elderly man cleaning the temple premises. On speaking to him, we realised the need to serve the temple that has been neglected and plundered upon. Soon after which, along with a group of friends, we started the organisation in 2002.”
“Many of us go to temples, but not every time do we observe the infrastructure of the shrine and take measures to restore the lost glory. I was the same until I founded the organisation,” says the resident of Gnanamurthy Nagar.
However, they do not limit their services just by tidying the shrine; going a step ahead, the team conducts rallies to create awareness about the need to upkeep the holy place. But most importantly, the volunteers clear encroachments from the sanctuary and properties and take measures to generate funds.
It is not a one-off initiative, states Ganesan and ensures it happens throughout the year by developing a local volunteer base. “There are around four/five such trusts in the city who clean only once. Since we go to temples located in other districts in the State, I was thinking of ways to keep the activities going without my direct involvement and I began seeking help from devotees who stay in the vicinity. Currently, we have more than 300 volunteers helping us,” the 43-year-old adds.
Adding feather to their cap, Ganesan states that the team has helped stop sewage entry into Kundrathur Palavarayan pond in 2018, clear encroachments from Guindy Kasi Viswanathar Temple among many others.
But this is not just what Ganesan expects from people. The recent incidents of idol smuggling had sent shockwaves to everyone by-and-large.
Although the trust could not do much about it, they shed light about such episodes and urges devotees to start questioning about the irregularities happening in shrines.
About mobilising funds, Ganesan, who works as an auditor, says, “It requires huge sum to transport cleaning equipment, organise rallies and for other things we do. So far, we have been self-sustaining by members and volunteers pooling in money to support our activities.”
He can be reached at 9840123866.