TN to create a database of movable and immovable temple assets

Tamil Nadu to create a database of movable and immovable assets of the temples in the state Apart from that, 241 temples will be added to an existing scheme to ensure at least one-time pooja a day is performed in these places of worship

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday proposed to create a database of movable and immovable assets of the temples in the state as part of its series of initiatives in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said such assets of temples include metal and stone idols besides land and buildings. "All the information will be computerised," she said in a statement. GIS and GPS will be used for documenting temple property, she said, adding, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) will be used to give a fillip to temple administration.

Apart from it, 241 temples will be added to an existing scheme to ensure at least one-time pooja a day is performed in these places of worship. Already 12,504 shrines were benefiting under this scheme where the aim is to ensure that proper pooja is conducted at least once in a day, she said.

She further said that the state government will provide Rs 2.16 crore to the devotees' contribution of Rs 24.10 lakh for conducting one time pooja. Allocation of funds for making new wooden temple cars, purchase of required pooja material for a number of temples, construction of 'Annadana' halls and rest areas for devotees and increase in pension for temple staff were also part of the initiatives announced by the Chief Minister.