A large number of temples, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, remain neglected and it is the responsibility of every pious-minded person to ensure their proper upkeep and maintenance. Shortage of manpower is often being cited as the main reason for this neglected condition but the human resources of devotees, if channelised, would resolve the issue, said Velukkudi Krishnan, religious scholar and founder, Kinchitkaram Trust.
In his address as part of the day-long celebrations of 1000th birth anniversary of Sri Ramanujar at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on Saturday, Mr.Velukkudi Krishnan said that he had been visiting a large number of temples in remote and interior villages where he had come to see the poor and neglected condition of the temples built during the ancient era.
He explained the services rendered by Sri Ramanujar in evolving various teams of personnel and implementing various administrative, executive, supervisory and religious responsibilities.
“Sri Ramanujar assigned specific responsibility to every team and ensure that one does not overlap with another. What is more interesting is that Sri Ramanujar gave equal importance to every section of the society. It is this ‘kainkaryam’ or service to God which is most needed in many temples,” he said, urging the individuals to camp at villages for the proper maintenance of various shrines.
He said that the Srirangam temple was noted for various religious festivals celebrated for a period spread over eight months every year. “These festivals are being organised by the respective teams or groups evolved by Sri Ramanujar,” he said.
A book Sri Ramajunar Ayiram Kanum Arputhar, brought out by Tamizh Thisai Publishers of KSL Media Ltd., was released.
P. Jayaraman, Joint Commissioner of the temple, received the copy.
The day-long programmes included discourses, power-point presentation and dance drama on the life and works of Sri Ramanjuar.
