HR & CE Sekar Babu, announced that by the end of this year, kumbhabhishekam (a sacred consecration ritual) will be conducted in 2,250 temples across the state. The announcement was made during the kumbhabhishekam ceremony at the historic Ambalavanar Temple in Mannur, Nellai district.The Ambalavanar Temple, which has been standing for over 112 years, witnessed its kumbhabhishekam ceremony with great splendor. Minister Sekar Babu stated that kumbhabhisekam has already been completed in 32 ancient temples that are over a thousand years old. Under Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s administration, renovation and kumbhabhishekam have been carried out in 2,098 temples.
In addition to the Ambalavanar Temple, kumbhabhishekam ceremonies were conducted today in 55 other temples. The government has undertaken several initiatives including the restoration of ancient temples, the construction of protective shelters for temple chariots, and the conservation of temple tanks.
The land associated with the Ambalavanar Temple includes 173 acres of agricultural land and 28 acres of fallow land, which have been leased for temple renovations and daily puja expenses. Since the DMK government came into power, restoration work and kumbhabhishekam have been carried out not only at temples like Thiruvattaru but also at Uthiramerrur Varadaraja Perumal Temple and other temples over 300 years old.
In the Arikesavanallur Sivan Temple in Nellai district, kumbhabhishekam was performed after 123 years of renovations. During the DMK administration, kumbhabhishekam has been carried out in 16 ancient temples and 60 temples that are over a hundred years old.
Additionally, 6,703 acres of land valued at ₹6,703 crore, belonging to 805 temples, have been reclaimed from encroachers during the DMK tenure. Plaques with the names of these temples have been placed at the reclaimed sites for protection. The DMK government has also constructed 47 new Rajagopurams (temple towers) at a cost of ₹92 crore and is currently working on new chariots for the temples with an allocation of ₹59 crore. Traditional wooden chariots are being maintained at a cost of ₹11.92 crore, he said.