Southern States - Tamil Nadu   

Jayalalithaa attends homam, calls on Kanchi Acharyas

By Our Staff Reporter

KANCHEEPURAM AUG. 11. The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, today attended `poornahuti' of the `Atirudra Sahita Sahasra Chandi Maha Yagna' performed at the Kamakshi temple here in the presence of the Kanchi Sankaracharyas, Sri Jayendra Saraswati and Sri Vijayendra Saraswati.

The Chief Minister, who arrived by helicopter around 11.30 a.m., immediately went to the temple and along with her friend, Sasikalaa, witnessed `poornahuti' of the Atirudra and Chandi homams for about 40 minutes.

Earlier, Ms. Jayalalithaa performed `kho' pooja (cow pooja).

The Maharashtra Chief Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde, who also attended the Chandi Homam, conveyed his greetings to her immediately after `poornahuti'.

The 11-day `Atirudra and Sahasra Chandi Homams' performed by nearly 300 Vedic scholars concluded today.

After worshipping at the temple, the Chief Minister called on the Acharyas at the Sankara Mutt. She spent nearly 40 minutes with them discussing various issues.

Tight security arrangements were made in the Sankara Mutt area and the Kamakshi temple. The general public were not allowed in the temple from morning until Ms. Jayalalithaa left the temple premises around 1 p.m.

Talking to mediapersons, Sri Jayendra Saraswati said the Chief Minister discussed with him religious matters including renovation of temples as he had been appointed chairman of the renovation committee of the temples last year.

He briefed the Chief Minister on funds required for renovation. ``I gave some books on morals to the Chief Minister for teaching in the temples'', the Acharya said.

Asked about the demolition of the `Seerani Arangam' on the Marina Beach in Chennai, the Acharya justified the Government action.

Answering another question, about the plight of remaining 6,072 dismissed government employees the Acharya expressed the hope that they would also be taken back in a month's time. The Acharya said that he had discussed with the Chief Minister encroachments on temple property in the State and it would be his endeavour to see that all temples received due rent from the tenants.

The Acharya said that he invited Ms Jayalalithaa for the `Atirudra and Sahasra Chandi Homams' and she came here to attend the function and called on him to offer her greetings on the eve of his 69th jayanthi.

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