*Forum to protect Vaishnavite temples * Staff Reporter
TIRUCHI: A five-member body, headed by a retired judge, will be formed for protection and upkeep of Vaishnavite temples in Tamil Nadu.
The decision was made at the end of a meeting held at Srirangam, in the wake of last month's theft of six idols from the Thalachankadu temple near Sirkazhi, one of the 108 'Divya Desams.' Srirangam Sri Renga Narayana Jeeyar presided over the meeting, which was attended by Vaishnavite scholars.
Srivaishnava Sri A. Krishnamachariar said the team would be formed by the 'Divya Desa Padhukappu Peravai,' a forum striving for the development of Vaishnavite shrines with poor revenue and bad maintenance. It would visit all Vaishnavite temples in interior parts of the State, starting from Thalachankadu. Besides ensuring the safety of the idols, the team would ensure proper maintenance and conduct of daily rituals in these temples.
Temple trustee N. S. Tiruvenkatam said the idols of Sri Vensudar Perumal, Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Sengamala Thaayaar, Selvar and Andal were stolen on January 22. He expressed apprehension that the festivals of the temple, including the monthly 'mangalasasanam' on 'Anusham' and the 'Panguni tirumanajanam' and the 'pavithrothsavam' in the month of 'Aavani' would be affected.
, Velukudi Krishnan and Prema Nandakumar urged the government to take steps to recover the idols. Sri Jeeyar said Tamil epic 'Silapathikaram' and the Sangam literature make many references to the temple. He sought immediate action for the recovery of the idols.
Finally I amglad that this has happened.The initial days after the theft was pathetic.There was no awareness at all. Better late than never.
But the question that still remains is " Where are the Perumal and Thayar of Thalaichankaadu?" after almost a month now. Thalaichankaadu was a very soft target for any thief. The temple is surrounded only by fields and a small pond. No one lives near the temple. Even the nearest hut is atleast 1/2 km away.
And there are so many temples like this in Tamizh Nadu. Not only Vaishnavite Temples but many Saivite temples also. We were are discussing about the callousness in the preserving the paintings and sculptures. But here the heart of the temple is gone. How many such thefts have gone unnoticed??
EVR is 100 times better than those who say they believe God and still indulge in such activities.