Madurai: “Despite criticism from previous rulers who asked what the newly elected TVK members know, we have successfully conducted the Meenakshi Amman Temple consecration ceremony in accordance with the Chief Minister’s guidance,” said Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh in Madurai today.
After the consecration ceremony at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple concluded, Law and Electricity Minister Nirmal Kumar and Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Ramesh met the press at the Pudumandapam opposite the temple.
At that time, Minister Ramesh said, “The previous rulers had the view that what do the newly elected TVK members know, can they really govern? Ignoring such perceptions, we are working with the intention of genuinely doing good for the people.
Accordingly, three months in advance, I held a review meeting and discussed matters related to the Meenakshi Amman Temple consecration ceremony. I instructed that the Veeravasantharayar mandapam works be expedited and completed quickly. In accordance with the guidance of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, we have conducted the consecration ceremony in a grand manner.
During the consecration ceremony, more than 9,500 people cannot be seated on the upper floor. We have issued passes accordingly. We have issued passes to 2,000 members of the public, as well as to donors who have contributed up to Rs. 25 crore to the temple, former and current ministers, MLAs, MPs, and municipal corporation councilors. We have not excluded anyone as wanted or unwanted. We have provided passes to all categories.
Arrangements have been made to sprinkle holy water using a drone during the consecration ceremony. We had announced that general darshan would be allowed at 10 a.m. during the consecration ceremony. However, devotees have been allowed for darshan as early as 8:30 a.m.
We will provide bags containing water and biscuits to 2.5 lakh people who participated in the consecration ceremony. The government is firm that mobile phones should not be used inside the temple. Strict action will be taken if devotees take videos or photos. We did not make it mandatory to collect a fee of Rs. 5 for mobile phones. We instructed that the temple administration may collect it depending on its financial situation.
Accordingly, the fee has been waived in many temples. Elephants were not purchased on behalf of the temples. As per the High Court order, elephants can be bought through donors, and that is how we have purchased elephants for the temples. We have not increased the price of prasadam in the temples. We are selling it according to the existing price list. We are running prasadam sales through the department in 12 temples, taking over from private operators. We provide prasadam in a quality manner. No additional fee is being collected for this.” he said.
