Temple Car is not Thiruther ~ but the car used by HRCE officials !!!!!

Only the Devout who regularly visits the temple  know the anguish…. It is not unique to any village temple… the malady affects almost all temples – more so, when thousands of devotees come to the temple …. More so when they contribute lakhs and crores of rupees in the Temple hundis.  WE have nobody else to blame than ourselves having allowed the Govt to manage the Temples.

For a Hindu, devotion and worship is way of life… their life revolves round the Temples ~ more around those great temples of which Alwars and Nayanmars have sung hymns… doing service at the temple, and donating their property were all for propitiation ~ and many rich people donated part of their wealth, their lands and more for Temples – constructing them and maintaining them…. People who died without progeny used to donate their property to temple – as when the temple flourished – all the neighbourhood prospered…. ‘people lived happily in places where culture and religion co-existed’…..

All tales of the past…. Now there are some temples where even daily rituals are not properly conducted… not all of them are in villages, neither – all of them not having property …. They have huge estates – only the administrators are not properly managing to derive revenue out of them.  We have HR&CE which will take over temples when revenue exceeds a set limit [the same rule does not apply to religious institutions of others !!!!] – and with the temple money – they will conduct political functions – in memory of leaders who preached atheism … why at a temple premises …. If feeding the poor is the aim – do it in the name of God – why in the name of political persons ?  have we questioned  this ??

Sadly here is a Temple  in ruins and in a most dilapidated state. A name board proclaims that Department of Archaelogy which protects 85 monuments spread all over the state is taking care ! of this temple.   It is quite unfortunate that places which had pristine glory have lost their veritable importance, are in dilapidated condition needing conservation.  It really pains to see the temple lying shattered in ruins.

Sadly, the temple precincts are poorly maintained – hygiene is not at all cared ….   in some places, the annual festivities do not take place …

In the famous Triplicane Sri Parthaswami Thirukkovil, there was this building in South Tank Square street, built for the purpose of keeping the magnificent ‘Kannadi pallakku’ – ask anybody who is over 50 there – he would have witnessed that beautiful kannadi pallakku – present condition : the one went fading due to poor maintenance but the place was converted as car park for keeping the new car of the Executive Officer of the Temple ! ~ none resisted or fighted !!!!!!!!

HR & CE and its boss Tamil Nadu Government have regularly been looting Hindu Temples of their monies for non-temple, non-Hindu purposes. Three detailed Writ Petitions have been filed by  Mr TR Ramesh as President of Indic Collective Trust and in my individual capacity questioning the transfer of funds and for reparation funds already. Sai Deepak Iyer J is to be thanked in a big way for his phenomenal efforts in creating awareness of such looting and mismanagement of Hindu Temples & endowments across the nation and for his involved efforts in arguing the core matter for the benefit of Hindus before High Courts and Supreme Court. 

With this background, read the article below that has appeared in The Hindu – titled, “PIL filed in Madras High Court accusing HR&CE Minister, Commissioner of using cars purchased using temple funds”  -  Mohamed Imranullah S.

CHENNAI, AUGUST 02, 2020 00:24 IST

Litigant trust claims that even fuel expenses are met by the temples

A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court accusing the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister as well as the Commissioner of using cars purchased from the funds of the Kapaleeswarar temple in Mylapore and the Kamakshiamman temple at Mangadu respectively.

Justices M.M. Sundresh and R. Hemalatha have ordered notices to the State government as well as the HR&CE Commissioner on the PIL petition filed by the Indic Collective Trust, represented by its president T.R. Ramesh. The petitioner’s counsel Niranjan Rajagopalan said temple money was being used even for fuel expenses.  The judges directed the Registry to list the case along with another PIL petition filed by Rangarajan Narasimhan of Srirangam against a Government Order to collect Rs.10 crore of surplus funds from 20 rich temples and use it to renovate 10,000 village temples. In that case, the court had passed an interim order restraining any such expenditure.

In an affidavit filed in support of his case, Mr. Ramesh said a combined reading of Articles 25,26, 27 of the Constitution would make it clear that the State could not appropriate funds belonging to temples and other religious institutions. Hence, the trust had challenged the validity of many provisions of the HR&CE Act before the Supreme Court. Even as those cases were pending in the apex court, the HR&CE Department had been continuing to transfer temple funds without following the provisions of its own Act, the trust alleged. It claimed that funds were being diverted at the ipse dixit of the department though the law prescribes elaborate procedures such as calling for public objections.

Further stating that the HR&CE had failed to appoint trustees for around 19,000 temples in the State since 2011, the litigant trust said they were being managed by the department employees appointed as fit Persons. It insisted that the funds of such temples should be used for their essential maintenance purposes alone and not transferred at all. Mr. Rajagopalan also told the court that temple funds had been used for purchasing computers for HR&CE officials and painting their offices. He said now there was also a proposal by the State government to start a television channel using temple funds and that the trust would want to reserve its right to challenge the decision at an appropriate time.

Sad, sordid tale .. .. officials think they are bigger than God – the Executive Officer at the holy Srirangam Ranganatha Perumal koil audaciously has his official car driven on the sands of ulprakaram to reach Office – devotees rever these places with devotion as these were the places were Azhwars and Acaryas had treaded .. ..

When the thiruther of a temple has some defects, it takes years and lots of money from various Devotees to get renovated ~ HR&CE Dept never places the money collected from the same temple in repairing it – b u t, luxury cars are bought for use of Officers.

Temple Cars The Hindu article

ஆலய சொத்து (அல்ல) ஆண்டவனையே கபளீகரம் செய்யும் அறத்துறை

There are thousands of devotees in Temple – there are so many temples in the South – just for example the most holy Thirumala Tirupathi would stand tall and above every other temple in sheer number of devotees and the donations. There are other temples as well – Sri Kanaka Durgamma temple in Bezawada, Kollur Mookambika, Kukke Subramanya swami, Udupi Sri Krishna in Karnataka; the most famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna, Sabarimala Sri Iyappan Devasthanam, Attukkal Bhagawathi amman  temple, Sri Padmanabhaswami temple ~ then there are so many divyadesangal and padal petra sthalams of Tamil nadu.

If one were to look at the first point of difference – it is the administration – Temples in almost every other place is managed by Boards / DEvaswoms / dharmakarthas / devotees having faith in the Lord and doing every act in the name of GOD .. .. but in Tamil Nadu, Temples are but revenue generators next to tasmac – temples are under the control of Govt, administered by atheists and the donations made to the temple find their way to any activity totally unconnected with the temple and the purpose of donation. Sad is the state of affairs.

While the real baktha who comes to the temple for worshipping and those innumerable devotees who contribute to the temple for its betterment – are kept out- provided no facilities, made to wait in the queue for long hours – one would find officials, politicians and those closer to these two identifies go near the Lord without standing in the Queue....  closer to GOD

It is a shame – on 31^st July 2018, Idol Wing sleuths  arrested M Kavitha, Additional Commissioner of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE) on charges of misappropriation of gold in the two panchaloha idols made for the Ekambaranathar temple in Kancheepuram. The two idols, which were supposed to contain 5.75 kg of gold together and whose making was overseen by the then Deputy Commissioner of HRCE, Kavitha, did not contain even a single gram of gold, according to Idol Wing officials.  One should not be seeing this as a fallen disgraceful act of one individual – perhaps it is the failure of the system itself.

Here is what could be read in HR&CE site :  The management and control of the temples and the administration of their endowments is one of the primary responsibilities of the State.  A number of measures have been undertaken prior to the year 1925 for efficient control and supervision of the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments.  In the Act 1 of 1925, the Government constituted " Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board" consisting of a President and two to four Commissioners nominated by the Government to function as a statutory body. Subsequently, Act 1 of 1925 was repealed by the Act 2 of 1927, which was followed by several modifications up to the year 1951. ~ even there, one thing is CLEAR – IT IS THE ADMINISTRATION AND NOT THE OWNERSHIP – AGAIN, ADMINISTRATION OF MONETARY ACTIVITIES CERTAINLY NOT THE RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES – BUT GO TO ANY TEMPLE AND SEE IT ALL BY YOURSELF – THE WAY THE OFFICIALS BEHAVE =- CAN ONE TOUCH HEART AND ASK WHY WOULD THE LORD READY FOR PROCESSION WAITS FOR THE EO/AC / DC TO COME AND HAVE DARSHAN ~ ARE THEY ABOVE THE LORD – DON’T THEY FEEL ASHAMED ?

SURE you have had darshan at holy Tirumala – after  passing through the Padi Kavali Maha Dvara, you will find yourself in an open mandapam called the Krishna Deva Raya Mandapam or Pratima Mandapam.  There you would see bronze  portrait icons of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya and his two consorts, Tirumaladevi to his left, and Chinnadevi to his right. All three icons face the main shrine, with their hands joined in supplication.  For those who do not know history, Sri Krishna Deva Raya was a great emperor ruling from Vijayanagar. 

The year 1001 A.D. saw the first inroad into India of the Muhammadans from over the north-west border, under Mahmud of Ghazni. He invaded first the plains of the Panjab, then Multan, and afterwards other places.  His expeditions were raids and nothing more. Other invasions, however, followed in quick succession, and after the lapse of two centuries the Muhammadans were firmly and permanently established at Delhi. War followed war,  In 1309 Malik Kafur,  swept into the Deccan akhan and captured Warangal. That was a period when marauders raided, killed thousands of hindus and pillaged all material wealth.   When ruin and devastation were the only happening, came the raise of Vijayanagara Empire came the check to the wave of invasion and those mighty Kings stand with folded hands in Temple – just compare with the modern day administrators, their words, deeds and behaviour in temples !!! .

Sad, sad, is the modern day looting – sometimes the officials empowered by a draconian statute to prevent are also involved – sadder still, they are looting not the revenue but playing with the IDOLS OF GODS TOO .. .. WHAT PUNISHMENT DO THEY DESERVE.

NEWS reports state that in  2015, Tamil Nadu chief sthapathi M Muthaiah advised the HR&CE on making new idols of Ezhavarkuzhali and Somaskandar, pointing out that the idols made in 2009 had not complied with the traditional rules. Permission was granted and orders were laid down that the Somaskandar idol should weigh 50 kg and the Ezhavarkuzhali idol 65 kg, amounting to a net total of 115 kgs. But the order was revised to make the idols weighing 111 kg and 63 kg respectively.

The department also provided alloy compositions needed for the making of the idols. An idol should contain 5% gold, 1% silver, 80% copper, 12% brass and 2% tin. Five percent of 115 kg will be 5.75 kg of gold.Investigators said that though the HR & CE officials had collected huge quantum of gold as donation for the idols, it was not used at all and swindled by them. The idols were made at Swamimalai near Kumbakonam on the orders of the Hindu Religious and Endowment board in 2015. The temple executive officer invited gold donations for the idols but never kept an account of the accepted gold ornaments, an official involved in the investigations said. After sculpting, both idols were brought to the Kancheepuram temple and installed.

The issue of came to light after one Annamalai lodged a complaint with the police. As no action was taken, the magistrate court ordered the police to probe the case. Idol Wing sleuths have  arrested M Kavitha, Additional Commissioner of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (HR&CE) on charges of misappropriation of gold in the two panchaloha idols made for the Ekambaranathar temple in Kancheepuram. The two idols, which were supposed to contain 5.75 kg of gold together and whose making was overseen by the then Deputy Commissioner of HRCE, Kavitha, did not contain even a single gram of gold, according to Idol Wing officials.

Only recently, we have been reading the run / anticipatory bail plea of P. Dhanapal, former HR & CE Commissioner who is wanted by the Idol Wing police in the Palani idol case. The esteemed sthapathi had already been arrested.  The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court dismissed the bail plea of   Mr. Dhanapal who moved the court seeking anticipatory bail after the Idol Wing police, led by Inspector General of Police A.G. Pon Manickavel, issued summons to him. But he failed to respond to the summons served at his houses in Chennai and Pudukottai, his native place. The case against the petitioner was filed under Sections 403 (Dishonest misappropriation of property), 409 (Criminal breach of trust by public servant), 418 (Cheating), 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 120-B (Punishment for criminal conspiracy) and 477 A (Falsification of accounts) of the Indian Penal Code.

So far, the Idol Wing has arrested four persons in the case pertaining to the alleged conspiracy to replace the main idol of Sri Dandayuthapaniswamy Temple in Palani in 2004.  MORE ;; ; Irked by the increasing number of complaints of thefts of ancient idols in Tamil Nadu, Madras High Court has issued an ultimatum to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. As reported by The Hindu, Justice R Mahadevan on Wednesday (11 July) warned Tamil Nadu government that he would be constrained to order a Central Bureau of Investigation probe if the HR&CE Department did not get its act together.

The judge made the statement taking cognizance of recent newspaper reports of a Panchaloha idol having been stolen from the famous Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai district, and a complaint made by Rangarajan Narasimhan of Tiruchi about the theft of precious artefacts from the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam. “It is a very sorry state of affairs in the State. This is totally unacceptable. The petitioner [Mr. Narasimhan] has been repeatedly approaching the government officials, but not an inch has moved. If idols are missing from each and every temple, then we will have to ask the CBI to probe into it. Why should there be a HR&CE department at all?,” the judge asked, according to the daily’s report.

Conveniently, the HR&CE feigned ignorance saying that the petitioner had not brought it to the notice of the department and had only been making repeated complaints to the police. "Now that we have come to know of his complaint, we shall take immediate action. I will ask the officials to start finding out the veracity of his claim right now,” said HR&CE counsel SP Maharajan. But Narasimhan told the court that he was tired of bringing these matters to the notice of  both the HR&CE as well as the police with regard to missing of precious idols, doors made of exotic wood, many kalasams, sculptures, unblemished granite pavements and other treasures that were said to be buried by erstwhile royals on the 157-acre temple campus.

In another case, petitioner named G Rajendran told the court that several ancient idols worth hundreds of crores at Uma Maheshwarar Temple in Konerirajapuram in Nagapattinam district were kept in a small room with an ordinary lock. And so were around 30 panchaloga idols at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Senthalai village near Tirukattupalli in Thanjavur district. He sought police protection for the idols stored in both the temples. The judge, clearly miffed with the rising complaints and inaction, has adjourned further hearings till Friday, by when the counsel for HR&CE department and the police are required to submit details of action taken on the Srirangam missing artefacts case.

HR&CE AND ITS OFFICIALS WHAT TO SAY … they put up defaulters list – who is to blame, those who have not paid or those who poorly administered – or these unscrupulous criminals who have tried to make money on the LORD HIMSELF !

~ a very sad bakth.

Court condemns HR&CE for failure to protect theft in Temples

Sadly, very sadly ~ Temples are under the vicious grip of Government, governed through HR&CE  - none of the devotees dare ask – why conducting feeding on the day of a former CM inside temples with temple funds – wny not in any other religious place ? – and more importantly, why administer only Hindu temples ???

It is baffling – the grave crime that gets committed at Temples – a form of organized looting.  Recently,  the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Department released statistics  that 1,204 idols belonging to temples in the State were stolen between 1992 and 2017 – that gives rise to 2 fundamental Qs..

1.      What is action taken ?? -  how many recovered ??

2.      How many idols were stolen prior to that period and what is HR& CE doing ?

In Temples one could find boards showing details of defaulters – running into lakhs and remaining unpaid for a decade or so.. .. with measly rents, if it were to accumulate to lakhs – whose fault and what action – what action against those administrators who have not taken any measures to protect the Temple property that they claim to manage and realize reasonable rent !!   Recently, the HR&CE Department filed a counter affidavit in the Madras High Court listing out idols which were stolen from temples in Tamil Nadu. According to the department, between 1992 and 2017, as many as 1,204 idols — 372 stone and 832 bronze — belonging to 387 temples were reported to be missing.

Worser still -  the  Madras high court on Friday censured the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department for failing to protect, preserve and maintain temple idols.

“If the idols are kept locked up without any maintenance, what is the purpose of having such a department,” Justice R Mahadevan asked, adding that the situation is the same in the 1,700 temples that he had visited in the state. The criticism by the judge pertained to the theft of several ancient idols from the state’s temples.  The court made the observation after IG Pon Manickavel, chief of idol wing, informed the court that most of the antique idols were not properly maintained by the department.  The judge then directed the additional advocate-general Aravindh Pandian, the commissioner of HR&CE and IG Pon Manickavel to sit and finalise the steps to implement various guidelines issued by the court in connection with the preservation and maintenance of idols. 

In a recent hearing, pulling up the Tamil Nadu government for failing to cooperate in investigations connected to idol thefts, the court warned that it would be compelled to order a CBI probe into the cases, if such attitude of the authorities continued. The observations were made on two separate pleas moved by R Venkataraman and advocate Elephant G Rajendran seeking transfer of investigation on all the pending cases of idol thefts to the CB-CID.

In July, 2017 the court overruled the transfer of Pon Manickavel out of the idol wing police and directed the officer to head the wing again. The court further ordered transfer of all the cases pending in various courts across the state, prosecuted by the Idol wing, to the file of the additional chief judicial magistrate, Kumbakonam, for speedy disposal on a day-to-day basis.

Recently there was news that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department  launched a survey of idols in the 4,000-and-odd temples in the Salem region. The initiative was following the unearthing of yet another idol smuggling racket and recovery of a large number of idols stolen from the temples across the State.  More than 4,000 temples are attached to the HR and CE Department in the four districts - districts of Salem, Namakkal, Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri.

Sad, they do not know what they have in possession, they cannot protect, some officials collude to – and they take and keep the God away from Temple in lockers. Only Sarweswaran can give some knowledge to these hay and save the Temples.

~ allikkeni Mainthan.

18^th Feb 2018.

கடவுளே நீயே காப்பாற்று !! HR&CE removes idols from Temple in Cuddalore

கடவுளே உன் பக்தர்களை நீயே காப்பாற்றுவாயாக

Ever wondered why some temples have so many staff while some do not ? – ever cared to know – where would the money received by donations and offerings go ? – the only purpose of such donations is for the Temple, its upkeep and the traditions behind the temple – one would be stumped to know, that the money fills the coffers of the Govt – to be used in all and sundry schemes, totally unconnected, irrelevant and at times opposed to the very purpose of such donations, against Hinduism even.  Sounds melancholic !!

திருமயிலை கயீலேச்வரம் அற்புத தோற்றம்

Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of rich culture, traditions of literature, music, dance and above all religious faith.   Those famous kings of the land, built temples, maintained the existing ones which provided employment opportunities, promoted arts and culture, acted as granaries and primarily lent people the correct way of life.  Saiva & Srivaishnavism thrived in this land of Azhwargal and Nayamnars.  The big Temples possessing most beautiful idols of the Lord had thousands of believers praying all the time – temple management in the hands of Kings, Patrons, and locals – highly educated and firm in their belief.

The benevolent people have offered land, gold, cash, elephants, horses, cows, bulls and more to the temples and also instituted funds for their continued maintenance.  Over a period of time, from the donors the management passed on to Trustees, who were locally influential good people. Years later, the Govt stepped in (sadly only in respect of Hindu places of worship and not in any other religious places !)

A few decades ago, the State took  over the reins of the temple – now the  management and control of the temples and the administration of their endowments is stated to be the  primary responsibility of the State.  [does it fit in with the present secular credentials ?] Now there is Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, a Ministry, a Department, plethora of officials with associated materials including vehicles !!  ~ now read the following article that appeared in Indian Express of date  titled ‘Officials break open temple room, shift 26 idols’  and then read the concluding paras too.

HR&CE officials with the idols at Kasi Vishwanathar-Sivagamasundari Ambal Temple | Express

CUDDALORE: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department recovered 26 panchaloha idols from a temple here on Saturday despite local resistance and shifted them to a safer place. The government has been taking steps to move centuries-old temple idols in unsafe conditions to bigger temples, where they could be well protected. This is part of a plan to protect idols from smugglers.

As the 300-year-old Kasi Vishwanathar-Sivagamasundari Ambal Temple in Cuddalore Old Town, which comes under the control of HR&CE Department, has 26 panchaloha idols, the department has been trying to move them to well protected places. But earlier attempts by the officials did not work due to a local conflict. On Saturday, HR&CE Assistant Commissioner Renugadevi went to the temple along with police to move idols to a well-protected temple. But the locals, who have been influencing the activities of the temple, opposed and refused to give the key to the room, where the idols were kept.

Subsequently, the officials broke open the room’s lock in the presence of Village Administrative Officer Thanigachalam. Police team headed by inspector Sundarrajan was also present. The officials shifted all the 26 panchaloha idols after performing poojas and other rituals. “There are around 3,000 idols in the temples in Cuddalore district. Among them, we have identified some of them to be in unsafe conditions and hence have been moving them to the idol protection centre at Padaleeshwarar temple in Cuddalore. We are doing this with police protection,” Renugadevi said.

“So far, 182 idols from 50 temples have been shifted. That apart, we have installed surveillance camera and alarm in 105 temples. We are going to instal cameras in 70 more temples,” she said.

Does that not sound an alarm ? ~ shifting of idols that too 182 from 50 temples -  it is not simply idols but God – the presiding deities of Temples.  Such temples had been constructed only for installation of the deity and people have worshipped there for ages – now the Officials who are to manage the affairs of temple are shifting idols to ‘safe places’ – does that mean keeping the Gods in safety vaults! – if a Temple is considered not so safe, safety measures including watchman facilities should be put in place – shifting is no solution.  The DEpt which thrives on revenues from Temples should understand its basic duty of protecting the places of worship.

Though collectively called ‘Hindu temples’ – there are different agamas and other relevant things for the believer – how can a God of a particular temple be kept in a safe iron room though located in another temple.  What will be the purpose of keeping the God, if there are no daily rituals and would there be any meaning in rituals together for different Gods.  How shambolic ? – what is the wisdom of such acts by HR&CE Officials .. .. .. and why are we silent to every atrocity committed on our religion and belief.

Some fool would come on media question the faith of people donating in Temple hundis without daring to comment the same on other religions, the collections of temple would be used for non-religious purposes, then Gods are also forcibly shifted out of the temple, built in olden days with purpose and where worship had taken place for hundreds of year .. so sad is the state of affairs ?  - who will save us from these people !!!

திருக்கோவில் சிலைகளை காப்பாற்ற தெரியலை ! உயர் அதிகாரிகளே உடந்தை

இதில் யாரெல்லாம் வெட்கி தலை குனிய வேண்டும் ?  என்ன தேசமிது ??  எங்கள் கிராமப்புறங்களிலே எல்லை காவல் தெய்வங்களும், கருப்பண்ண சாமியும், குற்றங்கள் நடைபெறாமல் காப்பார்கள் என்பது ஆழ்ந்த நம்பிக்கை. 

In the state of Tamil Nadu, Temples [and only Temples, no other places of worship] are administered by TN Government.  The money that the bakthas offer in the Temple hundi, does not belong to the Temple but to the Govt, which does not believe in Temples !!!

For many many decades now, the Hindu places of worship are administered through   Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department created by statue.  From 1991, no religious and spiritual leaders are involved in maintenance and administration of the Hindu Temples and Charitable Endowments. The act controls 36,425 temples, 56 mutts or religious orders (and 47 temples belonging to mutts), 1,721 specific endowments and 189 trusts ~ and how well they are run is known to everybody ! pathetic !!

Tamil Nadu Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency of the state of Tamil Nadu as is all over the Nation.  Idol theft cases were investigated by a small team of officials in CB-CID till the year 1980. During the year 1980 there was a sudden increase in thefts of Panchaloga idols. The thefts of such idols from the temples affected the sentiments of the local people. The Government accepted the proposal, constituted Idol Wing CID in 1983 reads its website.    At present Idol Wing CID is headed by DIG-Idol Wing and assisted by one DSP and 5 Inspectors of Police.

Now read this :  [you will read this again and again and more will be anguished !]

Suspended deputy superintendent of police Kader Batcha -- wanted in an idol theft case -- was nabbed from his hideout in Kumbakonam on Wednesday. According to the FIR, Batcha and sub-inspector Subburaj, who were with the idol wing CID of the Tamil Nadu police, seized three ancient idols worth several crores of rupees from two people in 2008 and sold them to idol smuggler Deenadayalan. Deenadayalan shipped the idols to international idol smuggler Subhash Kapoor. Police had earlier arrested Subburaj in connection with the case.

Batcha had been absconding for the last three months. He was produced before the additional chief judicial magistrate court in Kumbakonam and lodged in the Trichy Central Prison. A senior police officer said, "We will take him into custody for 10 days to know more about the theft."

Batcha's arrest comes days after inspector-general of police A G Pon Manickavel has been given full charge of the idol wing CID.

An administrative body that does not even know of the thefts of idols that people worship and a law enforcing body of whose high officials are involved in the theft ~ and a State that keeps watching Bigg Boss and other cinema related things, spending time on debating on every issue, speaking against the Govt.

Certainly does not augur well !!! – Sad is the state of affairs.  கருப்பண்ண சாமிதான் காப்பாற்ற வேண்டும் !! 

CID of State registers case against HR&CE officials for theft of idols from Temple

தீவு திடலில் நடக்கும் 'சுற்றுலா வர்த்தக பொருட்காட்சிக்கு' சென்று இருப்பீர்கள்.  அங்கே உள்ள பல ஸ்டால்ல்களில் பொது மக்களை கவர்ந்து இழுப்பது 'இந்து அறநிலையத்துறை' அரங்கம். 

கோவில்களை பராமரிக்க என அறங்காவலர்களை நீக்கி அரசாங்கத்தால் உருகாக்கப்பட்டது இந்த 'இந்து அறநிலையத்துறை'  ~ இதனுடைய முக்கிய நோக்கமே சில தனி மனிதர்கள் தங்கள் வசம் கோவில்களை கொள்ளாமல், திருகோவில்தனது  சொத்துக்களை பராமரித்து பரிமளிக்க செய்வதே !

அப்படி எனின் திருக்கோவில்களில் வரும் வருமானத்தை அரசு எப்படி தனதாக்கி கொள்ளலாம் ?  அறநிலையத்துறை அதிகாரிகள்  கார் வாங்கி பவனி வருபவதற்கா - புனித வள்ளல்கள் அறக்கொடைகளை உருவாக்கினார் ?  பொது மக்கள் இவர்களுக்காவகா உண்டியலில் காணிக்கை செலுத்துகின்றனர். ??  ~  திருக்கோவில்களில் இருந்து வாகனங்களையும், பெருமாளது உடைமைகளையும் வேறு இடத்திற்கு கொண்டு வந்து காட்சி பொருளுக்குவதற்க்கு இவர்களுக்கு உரிமை அளித்தது யார் ?  - மனம் வலிக்கிறது - இதில் அற நிலையத்துறை அதிகாரிகளே சிலை திருட்டிலும் பங்கு உள்ளவர்களாம் !! 

ஐயகோ !  இது என்ன வேதனை !!!!

The management and control of the temples and the administration of their endowments is one of the primary responsibilities of the State !!! says its website. [If so, does it handle the administration of places of other worship ?] A number of measures have been undertaken prior to the year 1925 for efficient control and supervision of the administration of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments says the website of HRCE

In the Act 1 of 1925, the Government constituted " Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board" consisting of a President and two to four Commissioners nominated by the Government to function as a statutory body. Subsequently, Act 1 of 1925 was repealed by the Act 2 of 1927, which was followed by several modifications up to the year 1951. 

If the function is to administer a Temple, how can the funds of the temple be diverted to various other activities which have no relation to religion or that temple at all ? – Temples as great places of worship were built by philanthropists, Kings and subjects to eulogise Hinduism and Gods – now in the garb of HRCE – the revenue goes to the exchequer, revealing in the form of SUVs for officials and temple lands gets donated.  Who gives the right to authorities to remove the Vahanams and other paraphernelias of temple and keep them on exhibition elsewhere !! ~ but all these would pale when you read of complicity in idol theft .. .. no simple words of ordinary baktha – but reported in the mainline press including The Hindu and Times of India :

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/idol-theft-fir-registered-against-hrce-officials/article19405514.ece

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/7-hrce-officials-booked-for-theft-of-6-idols/articleshow/59871026.cms

one’s heart would bleed !!!

According to the complainant – R. Venkatraman of K.K. Nagar in Chennai  [யார் இவரோ ?  இவர் நீடுழி வாழ்க !!] – five idols of Vinayakar, Pushpakarani, Valli, Theivanai and Chandrasekar Amman, which were with Sri Viswanathaswamy Thirukkoil at Keezhmanakkudi and the Vinayakar idol of Sri IdumbeswararThirukkoil at Srirangarajapuram were found to have gone missing in 2013.

“Though officials knew that the idols were missing, they deliberately didn’t disclose it. No complaint was lodged with the police,” the complainant alleged.

The idol wing CID of the state police has registered a case against 11 people, including seven Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) department officials, in connection with the theft of six panchaloha idols from two temples in Thanjavur district, including Pasupatheeshwarar temple at Pandanallur near ThiruvidaiMarudhur. The priceless idols date back nearly 1,500 years, said sources, adding that this was the first time HR&CE officials have been booked in an idol theft case.

The Madras high court recently re-appointed inspector general of police A G PonManickavel as investigation officer in idol theft cases handled by the idol wing CID in spite of his being transferred as IGP, railways. Pon Manickavel, who now holds additional charge as investigation officer in the idol wing CID, and his team swung into action and managed to identify idol smugglers and those who helped them stealing the idols from the Pasupatheeshwarar temple, and Idumbeshwarar temple at ShriRangarajapuram, in Thanjavur district.

Preliminary inquiries revealed that HR&CE officials failed to bring the missing of the idols, said to be worth several crores of rupees, to the notice of their higher-ups. Inquiries revealed that K Kamaraj, executive officer of Arulmigu Shree Pasupatheeshwarar Temple in Pandanallur, noticed that idols of Vinayagar, Pushpakarani, Valli, Deivayani, Chandrasekar Amman of the Pandanallur temple, and a Vinayagar idol of Idumbeshwarar temple were missing in 2013. However, he failed to report this to his senior officers and gave a clean chit to the then HR&CE commissioner.

As the officer didn't even lodge a complaint at the local police station, he has been deemed to have been deeply involved in the case. In a report submitted before the Madras high court, the idol wing CID police officers said that they registered a case against 11 CE officials, including Gajendran, joint commissioner of HR&CE in Mayiladuthurai, Gnanasekaran, assistant commissioner of HR&CE in Kumbakonam, K Kamaraj, executive officer of Pasupatheeshwarar temple, K Raja, head clerk of the Pasupatheeshwarar temple, Sekar Gurukkal and JagatheeshGurukkal, and a temple employee, apart from the trustees of the Pasupatheeshwarar temple PasupathiPillai, ManoharPillai, Ramachandran and Saravanan.

Based on the complaint of R Venkataraman, 62, a resident of K K Nagar, the idol wing CID registered a case under the IPC Sections 457 (2) (trespass), 380 (2) (theft) and 202 (Intentional omission to give information of offence by person bound to inform). The idol wing team has started investigating into the missing of the stolen idols.

Tightening the screw on the Tamil Nadu idol wing police who are in a spot after reports of cops selling ancient panchaloka idols worth several crores of rupees emerged, the Madras high court on Thursday asked the wing's inspector-general why the erring officials had not yet been arrested. Kader Batcha, a deputy superintendent of police with the wing, who has been named as kingpin in the illegal sale of seized panchaloka idols is absconding while a sub-inspector of police, Subburaj, has already been arrested.

The present proceedings related to a public interest litigation filed by advocate Elephant G Rajendran seeking transfer of the case to a neutral agency for an effective and impartial probe.

Sad, indeed !!  ~  ~  :::::::::::: தெய்வம் தான் இவர்களை தண்டிக்க வேண்டும்.

Arulmigu EllaiAmman Temple ‘Aadi Uthsavam’ @ Triplicane

Arulmigu Ellai Amman Temple  ‘Aadi Uthsavam’ @ Triplicane

Thiruvallikkeni aka Triplicane is a place of Temples – many of them puranic having existed for centuries…..

Somewhat closer to Sri Azhagiyasingar sannathi – via Ganapathi Mudali Street,  Chengalvarayan Street, you reach this temple at Sundaramurthy Vinayakar Street  – a common name in Tamilnadu ‘Ellaiamman” – the God protecting the frontiers of a place… each village, each oor perhaps had God of protection – the Aiyyanars and Ellai Ammans… and perhaps this temple existed when Triplicane was a small colony… Incidentally there is another Pillaiyar temple by the name ‘Sundara Murthy Vinayagar’ that gives the name to this street.

There is an arch on the Triplicane High Road on the small lane leading to this temple and you can come through Sundara Murthi Vinayakar Kovil Street.

This is the famous temple of ‘Arulmigu Ellai Amman’…. having an entrance facing east and a dwajasthambam infront of the Society.  As you enter there is Anjaneyar on the wall and Navagrahas installed by the side.  Inside you have Sakthi Vinayagar and Murugar with Valli and Deivanai. 

The presiding deity is of course Sri Ellai Amman to whom abishekams are performed regularly.  There is also the idol of dancing Nataraja.

Here are photos of Arulmigu Ellai Amman Uthsavar… ready for grand purappadu during the 10 day Aadi uthsavam ~  Have the blessings of Lord

                                                                                                                                                                                       

Allikkeni Mainthan.

6^th Aug 2017