Temple funds ...administration and buying of Toyota Innovas....

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.

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 asked this ??

Sadly, the temple precincts are poorly maintained – hygiene is not at all cared …. Temple festivities are planned, mentioned in agamas and puranas – Brahmothsavam in Vaishnavaite temples were ordained by Brahma himself; later by many Acharyas including Ramanuja Charya… in some places, the annual festivities do not take place … the Car festival is the most majestic and most attended by one and all… 

in some temples, where the ‘Temple rath (car)’ is damaged mainly due to improper (read NO) maintenance – repairs / reconstruction will take decades – that too, only when some private donors willingly take the initiative…………. 

But the officials come in Airconditioned cars – Innovas, Scorpios  - why SUVs and luxury sedans from temple funds – when nothing is done for the Lord = for whom those funds were intended. Why no action against officials who fail time and again to realize the revenue from assets and sometimes even do not maintain proper record of the assets/////////

Sad, sad, tragic … anguish and pain… today, there is a good article of Mr TR Ramesh in Dinamalar which is reproduced below.

Thanks to Dinamalar for publishing this and many thanks to the ilks of TR Ramesh who take up the cudgels, when ordinary mortals feel that there is nothing one can do….

Here is what appeared in Dinamalar supplement - chennai edition dt 8.3.14

Masi Magam Thiruvizha at Vanga Kadal ... Sri Kamakala Kameswari

14^th Feb 2014 was an important day ~ Masi Magam, generally a day on which the Magam Nakshathiram coincides with Pournami too.  On this day,  Uthsava Murthis of Temples are taken in a procession to Ponds, and Sea shores for ceremonial bath.  Devotees  flock  too for taking a dip in the water along with Murthis in propitiation of the sins. 

One of the by-lanes from Bharathiyar Salai aka Pycrofts Road is Hanumantha Lala Street – famous for the temple of Sri Kamakala Kameswarar…. The main deity of the temple is Sri Kamakala Kameswarar and he adorns the Shwethabaanalinga roopam here while Sri Kamakala Kameswari Ambal blesses in the Thribhangi roopam.

The antiquity  of the temple blessed by Sankaracharyas is revealed by the fact that the temple originally belonged to late Rai Raja Eswardoss Diawanth Bahadur, who founded the temple. After his death, his descendants inherited the temple and other properties but sadly  were adjudicated as insolvents in I.P.No.50 of 1924 and the management of the properties including the temple vested with Official Assignee, Madras.  As it happened with many temples in Tamil Nadu, that the ownership and management of temple was taken away from the descendants of the founder and subsequently is being managed by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments, which is lamented by many local residents.

On the Masi Makam day, in accordance with the traditions, the Uthsava idols of Sri Kamakala Kameswari Ambal with Sri Kamakala Kameswarar was taken to the sea front at Marina beach for holy theerthavari at Bay of Bengal.  There was the holy congregation of many Lords of whom Sri Parthasarathi, the presiding deity of the temple which gave the name to this area as Thiruvallikkeni was prominent.  

For a devout Hindu, ~ following our Hindu dharma, following our religious practices; wearing our traditional marks; chanting the name of the God; loving all His followers, doing good to humanity and serving those who are involved in the maintenance of our Hindu Dharma are all basic things.  Believe in HIM totally and HE would take care of all our problems….. Live happily serving the Lord; When God is with US ~ None can be against us………..

Here are photos taken on the festivity

Supreme Court rules against Govt in Thillai Chidambaram Temple; but Govt takes over Ayodhya Mandapam - the same day

For believers, asthigas and Hinduism – the Monday judgment of the Supreme Court quashing the TN Govt Feb 2009 order appointing Executive Officer to manage the affairs and properties of the  Natarajar temple at Chidambaram has come as a big relief. It was no case against the Dikshithars alone….. for long the Govts and the created HR&CE have held Hindu beliefs and the money / property donated by Hindus to their Temples have been held and used against the interests of Hinduism and the wishes of devotees. The devotees were really pained and anguished to note that there had to be a debate and subsequent Govt order that temple premises should not be used for anti-religion, atheist meets …. Can any such thing happen in any property owned / managed  by any other religious bodies ?.......... then, why Hinduism, Hindu temples are always targetted…

On Monday (6^th Jan 2014), a Bench of Justices B.S. Chauhan and S.A. Bobde, allowing a batch of appeals filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy and Podhu Dikshitars against the Madras High Court verdict upholding the GO, held that the right of the Dikshitars to manage the temple could not be taken away by the government. The Bench accepted the contention of the Dikshitars that they were a religious denomination as per the Article 26 of the Constitution “which guarantees right to establish and maintain institutions for religious purposes.” Mr. Justice Chauhan pointed out that the right to administer the temple by the Dikshitars had been recognised by the Supreme Court in its judgment in 1952 and it could not be taken away. The Bench faulted the Madras High Court for re-opening the issue whether the Dikshitars were a religious denomination or not even after the matter had been res judicata (already been decided). On the State government’s contention that it had a right to interfere when there was mismanagement, the Bench said such interference could only be for a short period. Quoting the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, Dr. Swamy argued that if there were allegations of misappropriation, the issue should be dealt with under the provisions of the IPC and not by taking over the temple administration.

One of the earliest documented incidents relating to the status of Chidambaram Natarajar temple or Sabanayagar temple as it is officially known dates back to 1885 ~ and thus a century old tussle has come to an end.   The efforts of Chidambaram Podhu Dikshithars fructified as Dr Subramania Swami fought their cause and won it for them….. even before the asthigas could celebrate comes the news of Govt taking over ‘Ayodhya Mandapam’.

After Nanganallur Anjaneyar Temple, now it is Ayodhya mandapam at West Mambalam.  The government on Monday took over the Ayodhya Mandapam in West Mambalam, sparking protests in the locality. The Mandapam, around 60 years old, functions as a place for religious discourse and concerts. There is no proper temple but the Mandapam has depictions of Rama, Sita, Radha and Krishna and devotees worship in a small shrine in the hall. The Mandapam, the Mithilapuri Kalyana Mandapam, Sri Sitaram Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School, and Gnanavapi, are run by the Sri Ram Samaj, a society, which was founded in 1954. A member of the society said that it was not a temple as it did not have a presiding deity or a dwajasthambam (flag mast) and was involved only in conducting religious discourses, and festivals including Ramanavami, Navarathri and Kandasashti.

TOI reports that the Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department took charge of the hall on a petition by a person whose application for membership to the Sri Rama Samajam, which managed the mandapam, had been rejected. The state took over the temple under Section 49(1) of the HR&CE Act.     “The samajam also manages a higher secondary school, a marriage hall and Gnanavapi, where funeral rites are conducted,” said samajam president S Ravichandran. “All the assets have been taken over by the HR&CE department. The department issued an order on Saturday appointing an assistant commissioner to manage the four assets.”

photo courtesy : www.panoramio.com/photo/43052646

The samajam on Arya Gowda Road was formed in 1954 to celebrate Rama Navami. It gradually expanded and constructed a marriage hall, set up a school nearby and Gnanavapi in T Nagar. The officer tried to serve the order on Saturday but could not as the office was locked, said Ravichandran. “The samajam has filed a petition in the Madras high court through its counsel against the takeover,” Ravichandran said.

Volunteers of the Hindu Mahasabha held protests outside the Mandapam after the takeover. The total assets of the samajam are estimated to be worth more than 5 crore. The HR&CE department said it had appointed an official to probe the financial affairs of the samajam.

So another temple, another yardstick as State Govt and its HR&CE try to usurp power and funds of another Hindu religious institutions – which they cannot do elsewhere…. Sad for the Hindus.

7th Jan 2014.

PS : A SMS received (in the evening) from an advocate friend says

 'Madras HC stays the taking over'...............

Chidambaram Natarajar Case : Dr Swamy wins it for Dikshithars

 Chidambaram Natarajar Case :  Dr Swamy wins !!!

Strange is the land……… non-believers and so called atheists will talk only against Hinduism ~ dare not against any other religion !!

The Government will take over the management of the temples, control the revenue … utilize it for all non-religious purposes… still cannot dare think of doing it with any other religion’s places of worship.

wikipedia photo

Chidambaram…….. is famous for the Thillai Natarajah Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.  This pristine temple has  influenced worship, architecture, sculpture and performance art for over two millennium. The Dikshithars (Thillai vazh anthanargal) have been serving the Lord since many centuries.  Dikshithars follow the Vedic rituals.

The State Govt and its organ HR&CE tried taking over the temple and appointed Executive Officer to manage the affairs of the temple and the properties of Natarajar temple… if the argument that the funds would be streamlined is to be believed – just visit any temple maintained by HR&CE, you can find the state of affairs for yourself…. Also one finds big boards displaying the defaulters – in lakhs and in huge numbers – and to think that the rents are abysmally low……reveals the type of governance and control the HR&CE does ………

Another Good day for Hindus and all need to appreciate the efforts of the ever persevering Dr. Subrahmanya Swami for his efforts in the Apex Court.

A few minutes ago, the Supreme Court has pronounced that TN Govt should not control the temple and handover the control to the traditional Dikshithars.

Full details would follow soon……..this is a pronouncement by the Bench of Justices B.S. Chauhan and S.A. Bobde.  Podu Dikshitars contended that they were a religious denomination as per the Article 26 of the Constitution “which guarantees right to establish and maintain institutions for religious purposes.” The Supreme Court in its judgment in 1952 had recognised their right to administer the Natarajar temple and it could not be taken away. The Podu Dikshitars’ association with the temple was more than 2,000 years old and the task of offering worship and administering the temple was entrusted with them. The failure if any with regard to administration of such properties could not be the reason for interfering with their right to maintain the temple. It was the argument of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, one of the appellants, that an attempt was made after Independence to bring the temple administration under State control in August 1951 but the Supreme Court had held that the Podu Dikshitars had a right to administer the temple as a religious denomination. Quoting the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, Dr. Swamy said “Section 107 specifically bars the application of the Act to institutions coming under the purview of or enjoying the protection of Article 26 of the Constitution.” If there were allegations of misappropriation, it should be dealt with under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and not by taking over the temple administration, he argued.

Special thanks to Dr. Swami for this……..

*****************************

புதுடில்லி: புகழ்பெற்ற சிதம்பரம் நடராஜர் கோயிலை மாநில அரசு  நிர்வகிக்க சுப்ரீம் கோர்ட் தடை விதித்து தீர்ப்பளித்துள்ளது. சில முறைகேடுகள் நடந்தது என்பதை கருத்தாக ஏற்று கோயிலை அரசு நிர்வகிக்க வேண்டியதில்லை என்றும் நீதிபதிகள் தங்களது உத்தரவில் கூறியுள்ளனர்.

இந்த கோயிலில் முறைகேடு நடந்து வருவதாக சிவனடியார் ஆறுமுகச்சாமி உள்ளிட்டோர் போராட்டம் நடத்தினர். இதனையடுத்து கடந்த 2009 ல் தி.மு.க., ஆட்சி காலத்தில் தமிழக அரசு சிதம்பரம் நடராஜர் கோயிலை அரசு கையகப்படுத்தியது. இது தொடர்பாக சென்னை ஐகோர்ட்டில் வழக்கு தொடரப்பட்டது. இதில் அரசுக்கு சாதகமாக தீர்ப்பளிக்கப்பட்டது.  இந்த தீர்ப்புக்கு எதிராக தீட்ஷிதர்கள், சுப்பிரமணியசாமி ஆகியோர் தரப்பில் சுப்ரீம் கோர்ட்டில் அப்பீல் செய்யப்பட்டது.  பி.எஸ். சவுகான் பாட்டே ஆகியோரை கொண்ட பெஞ்ச் இந்த அப்பீல் வழக்கை விசாரித்தது. இதில் நீதிபதிகள் இன்று தீர்ப்பளித்தனர் . தங்களின் உத்தரவில் :

முறைகேடுகள் நடந்தது என்ற காரணத்திற்காக கோயிலை அரசு நிர்வகிக்க வேண்டியதில்லை. முறைகேடு நடந்திருந்தால் விசாரிக்கலாம். ஆனால் கையகப்படுத்த அதிகாரம் இல்லை. செயல் அதிகாரி நிரந்தரமாக செயல்பட முடியாது. தமிழக அரசு பிறப்பித்த உத்தரவும், சிறப்பு அதிகாரி நியமன உத்தரவும் ரத்து செய்யப்படுகிறது. இவ்வாறு இந்த உத்தரவில் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த தீர்ப்பு மூலம் தீட்ஷிதர்கள் கையில் இருந்த இந்த கோயில் நிர்வாகம் மீண்டும் தீட்ஷிதர்கள் கைக்கு செல்கிறது.

Source acknowledgement : Dinamalar.

Arulmigu Ellai Amman Temple - 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 – a common name in Tamilnadu ‘Ellai Amman” – 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…

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 (SMV Kovil Street apparently named after the Sundara Murthi Vinayakar – Pillaiyar kovil in the street, just opposite to the temple)

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… come to the temple on this day = starting day of the New year 2014 and have the blessings of Lord

Allikkeni Mainthan.