The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board will take up a study on conservation of tanks in the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple and Sri Akilandeswari-Sri Jambukeswarar temple at Tiruvanaikovil.
Water bodies play a great role in groundwater conservation and the board will address the issue through a special study, said P. Dhanapal, Commissioner of HR and CE.
In an informal talk at Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy temple on Saturday, Mr. Dhanapal explained the achievements of the HR and CE Board in the last three years.
Four temples had been renovated in the last three years and the work on renovation was in progress at major temples, including Sri Sangameswarar temple in Bhavani, and Sri Thiyagarajaswamy temple in Tiruvotriyur.
As for Sri Mariamman temple in Samayapuram, an action plan had been drawn up for ensuring expeditious completion of expansion projects. All the works were being closely monitored and would be completed within a year. Steps for kumbabhishekam would be taken later. “Our focus is on speedy completion of the works there,” he added.
He said the work on construction of “yatri nivas” in Panchakarai near Srirangam was a model 'nivas' in the south India.
It could accommodate 1,000 people with facilities for cottages, dormitories, and canteen. A majority of the work had been completed and the HR and CE would take over the “nivas” by March-end. It would be inaugurated a few months later.
He said the State government had allotted special funds for repairing the old temple cars which were in a dilapidated condition. So far, 87 temple cars had been restored.
The work on the “Azhi” thear (temple car) at Tiruvarur would be completed shortly. It would be used for the temple festival next year. The “operation eviction” had yielded the desired results. About 1,000 acres had been from unauthorised or unlawful enjoyment by encroachers. The extent included 100 acres of land belonging to Sri Kandaswamy temple in Tiruporur.
Elephants behaviourMr. Dhanapal said the elephants at the rejuvenation camps were exhibiting a marked improvement in the behaviour.
“Most elephants are familiar with the topography and walk freely towards water bodies,” he said. He was keeping a close surveillance on the behaviour of elephants at his office.
