Date:18/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/18/stories/2006031811010400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Over 100 kumbhabhishekams on a single day

Special Correspondent

Ritual performed in 67 major and 40 small temples in the State Funds were sourced from HR and CE Fund, Government Common Grant and Temple Renovation Fund.

CHENNAI: It what may be a record of sorts, kumbhabhishekam was performed in over 100 temples in the State, including in 67 major temples, on Friday.

Some of the major temples where the consecration ceremony was performed included the Vedapuriswarar temple, Tiruverkadu; Ekambareswarar temple, Mint, Chennai; Eeri Katha Ramar temple, Madurantakam; Sri Kasi Viswanathar temple, Tenkasi; Sri Vekkaliamman temple at Woriyur in Tiruchi; Sri Prasanna Venkatachalapathi temple, Thuraiyur and Sri Brahmmapuriswarar temple, Tirupattur.

More planned

On February 10, consecration was performed in 59 temples. Next month, kumbhabhishekam is planned in another 50 temples.

According to official sources, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) has planned kumbhabhishekam in temples where it has not been performed for years.

Funds for the ceremony, the sources said, were sourced from HR and CE Fund, Government Common Grant and Temple Renovation and Maintenance Fund.

Surplus funds

In addition, surplus funds of big temples, funds of temples where the ritual is performed and donations from local people are also tapped.