Special Correspondent
Proposal to provide a gold covering for the ‘vimana’
THANJAVUR: It has been planned to perform ‘mahasamprokshanam’ to Sri Venkatachalapathiswamy Temple (Oppiliappan Koil) near Kumbakonam in the district before the end of Tamil month of ‘Thai’ this year (i.e.) between January 15 and February 15, 2008, according to a press release jointly issued here by the Assistant commissioner and Executive Officer of the temple, T. Vijahakumar, and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Raya R. Govindarajan.
The budget for the mahasamprokshanam has been estimated at Rs.10 crore. It is proposed to provide a gold covering weighing 18 kg for the vimana over the sanctum sanctorum. Devotees can donate for the cause.
They can also contribute to the provision of full gold kavasam to Goddess Bhoomidevi (consort of Venkatachalapathiswamy), which is to be made at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore using 15 kg of gold and construction of a mandapam at a cost of Rs. 78 lakh for the outer praharam through which the golden chariot procession is taken out every year.
It is proposed to divide the golden chariot procession path into 108 parts and to depict the deities of all the 108 Divya Desams along with a pasuram in each part.
Donors can contribute Rs.75,000 for each Divya Desam.
So far the temple has received donations for 80 Divya Desams.
In the case of a golden kavasam for Goddess Bhoomidevi, the temple has already collected a donation of Rs.25 lakh.
The remaining amount can be borne by interested donors.
Donations should be sent to the Assistant Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Venkatachalapathiswamy Temple, Oppiliappan Koil, Thirunageswaram-612 204.
