Kolathur - Trichy/Pudukottai - Daily Pooja Scheme

This temple in Kolathur is just  one km off Trichy - Pudukottai main road and the site is maintained by Archeological Survey of India.

The name of the Lord is Sreesundarachozeswarar and the Goddess is Anandavalli.

The temple has a large parcel of land around it and is neatly maintained. There is a Vilvam tree at the back side of the temple and the boundaries are neatly marked.

Inside view of the stone Mandapam

Side view of the Ambal and Swamy sannidhi

One sad thing is that there is no electricity connection to this temple and they use emergency light  to do pradosha pooja, only time when a few villagers visit this temple.

Ambal Anandavalli

Lord Murugan

Through Sivan adiyar Mr Kandasamy we  have identified a person by name Mr Paramasivam to do the daily pooja for a monthly  remuneration of Rs 500. He is a labourer who would attend to the temple duty in the morning and then go for his regular  work . On Pradosham days he is available in the evening too. 

Pandithar kudi vayal - Trichy/Pudukottai - Daily Pooja Scheme

This  Village Pandithar Kudi Vayal houses the ancient temple of Arulmigu Anandavalli samedha Soleeswarar swamy.

Panchamugha Lingam

This is a 1000 year old temple with  a Panchamugha Shiva Lingam in an old stone structure which is in a structurally unsafe condition. This temple is little away from the village and thanks to the effort of some members of the village a small temple is being built to house this God next to the existing temple.

This temple is about 5 km off Trichy - Pudukottai main road from Kalamavoor.

Lord Ganesha in the tank bund

There is a huge tank which is presently dry which belongs to the temple.

In olden days people who venture on a pilgrimage to Kasi from Rameswaram use to go via this place and halt here, have darshan  and take rest . This village is said to have a lot of Pandits  and hence this place came to be called Pandithar (learned people) Kudi (place of stay) vayal (surrounded by fields).

We have now identified through the reference of a Sivan Adiyar Mr Kandasamy Siva, a person named Mr A Ganesan as priest to do the daily pooja for a monthly remuneration of Rs 500 . He has forwarded his bank  account details and from april 2015 he has been paid this agreed sum to do service to god.

UPDATE
We are happy to announce that the construction of the  temple is complete and kumbhabhishekam has been performed. Daily pooja is taking place as desired.

List of temples where oil for lamp is given

1.  Nemam -  Avundeeswarar/Ameerthambigai -  Chennai (10 litres in May and 5 lts in June)

One litre oil pouch - only for lighting lamp not for cooking

2.  Kaavanpayar - Kailasanadhar - Uthramerur
3.  Arasanipalayam - Agastheeswarar - Uthramerur
4.  Vayalathur - Field Lingam - Uthramerur
5.  Punnai - Surya Lingam - Uthramerur
6.  Peria Ezhai Cheri - Uthramerur
7.  Vayalathur - Mahalingaswamy- Uthramerur (Totally 20 lts oil given in June)

List of temples where Daily Annadhanam scheme launched

1.  Bharaniputhur - Ekambareswarar/ Kamakshi - Chennai- Spl prasadams on Pradosham days (see temple details below)

2. Nemam - Avundeeswarar/ amirthambigai - Chennai- Annadanam for more than 100 people on all Amavasi days, Pournami days, Pradosham days, chaturthi days, Kirthigai days and on all sundays numbering around 10 to 12 days a month. Infrastructure & initial provisions supplied. Other sponsors take care of regular supply of provisions. Mr Kumar , who manages the temple has taken the responsibility to execute this scheme.( see temple details below)

3&4.Thiruvottiyur - twin temples-  Mayilandavar thirukovil of Roma Maharishi & Appar swamy thirukovil near the beach - 25 persons are fed daily in each temple. Infrastructure & initial provisions supplied. 50 stainless steel plates and 25 stainless steel tumblers also supplied for daily annadhanam scheme. Uzhavarapani Mandram of velachery run by Mr Adalarasan has taken the responsibility to supply regular provisions. ( for details about the temple see sept 2015 blog post)

5. Kavaan Thandalam - Uthramerur-  Karpaga Vinayagar Temple - committed regular payment of Rs 200 per month  for making prasadam on all sankadaharachaturthi days. Infratructure and provisions available locally. Mr Palani , Sivan adiyar has taken the responsibility for the implementation of this scheme.

1 Bharaniputhur - Ekambareswarar/ Kamakshi

Signboard on Kundrathur-Mangadu road

Ekambareswarar Temple - Bharaniputhur

Annadhanam scheme launch at Bharaniputhur

     The devotees have decided to convert  Daily annadhanam to special prasadhams to all the devotees twice a month during Pradosham days when there is a huge gathering.The deserving beneficiaries are only handful in numbers and hence daily annadhanam will not meet the intended purpose.

2.  Nemam - Avundeeswarar/ Amrithambigai - Chennai 

Nakshatra Homam being performed daily for the last 308 days and will complete a year by end July

The 5 level Rajagopuram at the main entrance facing west

The stone Mandapam facing the ambal sannidhi  used for Annadhanam

Wall bordering the temple tank with cooking/store room and Ganesa / Sapthakannigais under the tree

Northern side view of the temple with Swamy & Ambal Gopuram

 Since daily Nakshatra Homan is being performed in the temple for the last 308 days and is likely to be  over during July , the request of one of our donor to undertake launch of Daily Annadhanam scheme will be operational  w.e.f end July 2015.

As planned, from August 2015 Mr Kumar, who is managing the temple has agreed to do Annadhanam not on daily basis but on the following days of every month viz.
All Ammavasai days, Pournami days, Chaturthi days, Kirthigai days, Pradosham days and all Sundays.

This would work out to average 10 to 12 days a month and after initially stabilising it could be convereted into daily annadhanam scheme. Instead of feeding 30 persons a day nearly 100 people would be fed on the above days for more than 10 days a month.

To initially start off we purchased a stove, aluminium vessels for cooking and mixing 5 kgof rice, stainless steel buckets to serve, stainless steel laddle along with enough provision to last the month including rice 10 kgs, jaggery, pulses, cardamon, cashew, etc.

The scheme was successfully launched on Sankadaharachathurthi day and sweet pongal and sundal was made and served to all those attended numbering more than 100.

List of temples where Viboothi,Sandal paste & kumkum given

Viboothi (1/2kg), Kumkum (1/4kg), Sandal Tabs ( 1pkt), Thiri, Incense stick(1 pkt)

1. Nelvoy - Uthramerur
2-4. Kavaan Thandalam - Viswanathar,Koteeswarar & Soleeswarar - Uthramerur
5. Karuvampoondi - Uthramerur
6. Vayalathur - Uthramerur
7. Vayalanallur - Murugan temple - Chennai
8, Vadadhavur- Uthramerur
9. Kavanpayar- Uthramerur
10. Arasanipalayam - Uthramerur
11. Vayalathur - Field Lingam
12. Punnai - Suryalingam- Uthramerur
13. Punnai - hill temple - Kailayanathar
14. Peria Ezhai Cheri - Uthramerur
15. Pudupalayam - Uthramerur
16. Isoor - Uthramerur
17. Ilanagar - Uthramerur
18. Nelvoy - Abhishekam materials-Uthramerur
19. Karungkuzhi - Madurantakam
20. Puthupalayam - Uthramerur
21  Azhisoor - Uthramerur

List of temples adopted for Daily Pooja

Sl No.	Location	God's Name	From
	Trichy
1	Puliyur	Theerthagangar	Apr-15
2	uppiliyakudi	Kailasanadhar/Visalakshi	Apr-15
3	Pandithar Kudi Vayal	Soleeswarar/Aanandavalli	Apr-15
	Utramerur
4	Vayalathur	Mahalingaswamy	Apr-15
5	Kaavaan Thandalam	Kasi Viswanathar/Vislakshi	Apr-15
6	Kaavaan Thandalam	Soleeswarar/Sundarambigai	Apr-15
7	Karuvepampoondi	Kasi Viswanathar/Vislakshi	Apr-15
8	Nelvoy	Agastheeswarar/Mangalambigai	Apr-15
	Kumbakonam
9	Namsivayapuram	Panchatchapureeswarar	Apr-15
10	Umamageshwarapuram	Paadaleeswarar/Mangalambigai	Apr-15
11	Ponpethi	Bhavaneeswarar	Apr-15
12	Thirumandangkudi	Thirubhuvaneeswar/Thirupurasundari	Apr-15

               Chennai

13           Vayalanallur                  Kandhaswamy                                                May-15

 

Trichy

14          Kolathur                       Sundarachozeeswarar/Anandavalli                  May-15

               Uthramerur - Modified Daily Pooja Scheme
15          Kaavanpayar                  Kailasanadhar                                                 June -15
16          Arasanipalayam             Agastheeswarar                                              June -15
17          Vaylathur                        Field Lingam                                                 June -15
18          Punnai                            Surya lingam                                                  June -15
19         Periaezhaicheri               unnamed lingam                                             June -15

               Tirunelveli
20         Therkukarungulam         Kailasanadhar/Gomathi Amman                   June- 15
21          Pallakkal                        Venkatachalapathy/Shiva temple                  June- 15
           
             Uthramerur
22         Punnai - Hill temple       Kailayanadhar                                                June-15
23         Karungkuzhi                   Kailayanadhar                                                July-15
24         Pudhupalayam                Agastheeswarar/Angaiyarkanni                     July-15

            Kumbakonam
25        Melakaveri                      Brahmapureeswarar/Periyanayagi                  July-15

            Uthramerur
26       Azhisoor                          Arulaleshwarar                                                August 15
27       Kattangkulam                  Agastheeswarar                                               August 15
       
           Kanchipuram
28      Poonaithangal                 Kailasanadhar/Gnanambal                              September15
29      Vadakalpakkam              Kailasanadhar/Kamatchi Amman                   September15
30      Keezhperamnallur            Ramanathaswamy/Parvathavardhini              September15
31      Menallur                         Kalatheeswarar/Gnanambigai                          September15
32      Keezhnayaganpalayam   Manikandeeswarar/Maragadambal                  September15

List of temples to which Rudraksha malai given

1. Vayalanallur - Lord Murugan - Chennai
2. Nemam  - Avundeeswarar - Chennai
3. Umamaheshwarapuram - Umamaheswarar- off Thiruvarur
4. Umamaheshwarapuram - Paadaleeswarar - off Thiruvarur
5. Namasivayapuram - Panchatchapureeswarar- off Thiruvarur
6&7. Aalathur - Kasi Viswanathar - 2 nos- off Thiruvarur
8.Maaracheri - off Thiruvarur
9. Thiruvedaimarudhur - Mahalingaswamy
10. Thyagasamudram - Bhoologanathaswamy - Kumbakonam
11&12. Thirumandankudi - Thirubhuvaneeswarar/ Dhakshinamurthy - 2nos- Kumbakonam
13.Ponpethi - Bhavaneeswarar- Kumbakonam
14. Uthirai - Shivalingam in paddy field - Kumbakonam
15. Lingathadi - Shivalingam in paddy field - Kumbakonam
16.Melakaveri - Brahmapureeswarar - Kumbakonam
17. Puliyur- Theerthagangar - Off Trichy- Pudukottai road
18. Panditharkudivayal- Soleeswarar- off Trichy-Pudukottai road
19& 20.Kaavan Thandalam - Kasi viswanathar/Soleeswarar - Uthramerur
21. Nelvoy - Agastheeswarar - Uthramerur
22.Vayalathur- Mahalingaswamy- Uthramerur
23. Azhisoor- Arulaleeswarar - Uthramerur
24. Ariyathoor - Thiruvayameeswarar - Uthramerur
25. Ilanagar - Udayapureeswarar/Udayambigai ( sugaprasavanayagi) Uthramerur
26. Kadalmangalam- Karungaleeswarar/Maragathambigai- (MARAGADHA LINGAM)- Uthramerur
27. Ozhukarai - Agastheeswarar/ Akilandeswari-Utramerur
28. Vangaram - (Palani) - Utramerur
29. Edangarai- Utramerur
30. Uzhudhamangalam -Kailasanadhar- Utramerur
31. Kathiricheri - Utramerur
32. Andhavakkam - Utramerur
33. Athiyur/ Sigandi - 2nos
35. Sathanancheri
36. Seethanancheri
37.Aannaipallam- Ekambareeswarar temple-Uthramerur
38. Kuthali
39.Kannikulam- Kanneeswarar/Thirupurasundari- Uthramerur
40.Kaavithandalam
41. Thiruvanangkoli
42. Ottanthangal
43.Rengodu
44.Perunagar
45. Aeripakkar
46.Meelagarmaeni
47. Kaavanpayar - Kailasanadhar - Uthramerur
48. Arasanipalayam - Agastheeswarar - Uthramerur
49. Vayalathur - Field lingam - Uthramerur
50. Punnai - Surya Lingam - Uthramerur
51. Punnai -  Hill temple - Kailayanadhar - Uthramerur
52. Peria Ezhai Cheri - Shiva Lingam - Uthramerur
53. Pudupalayam - Agastheeswarar- Uthramerur
54. Kadambur- Kadambanadhar/Aavudainayagi
55. Aanaipallam- Pillaiyar koil - Uthramerur
56. Karumpakkam - Uthramerur
57. Kavilipakkam - Uthramerur
58. Thandarai 103 - Kailasanadhar/Kamakshi-Uthramerur
59. Vada Thirukaddaiyur/Nayaganpettai- Abhirami/Amirthakadeswarar- Wallajah
60. Ashraya Ganapathi - Chennai
61. Anandalai- Suambunadheeswarar/Umamaheshwari-Wallajahpettai (vellore)
62. Arasanimangalam - Uthramerur
63. Mulli - Uthramerur
64.  Kathricheri - Uthramerur
65. Perumkozhi - Uthramerur
66. Vengodu - Veluvananadhar-Uthramerur
67. Dhakshinamurthy - Chennai
68. Karunkuzhi - Kailasanadhar - Maduranthagam
69. Thandarai - Uthramerur
70. Pudhupalayam - Uthramerur
71.Keezhnayaganpalayam -Manikandeeswarar/Maragathambal- Kanchipuram
72.Poonaithangal - Kailasanadhar/Gnanambal-Kanchipuram
73.Mathur- Somaneeswarar- Uthramerur
75.Pappanoor- Uthramerur
76.Vadakalpakkam - Kailasanadhar/Kamatchi-Kanchipuram
77. Keezhperamnallur- Ramanathaswamy/Parvathavarthini- Kanchipuram
78.Menallur- Kalatheeswarar/ Gnanambigai-Kanchipuram
79. Kattankulam - Uthramerur
80.Azhisoor- Uthramerur
81. Thamoor (JanakipuraKheem)
82. Melvalampettai - Uthramerur
83. Puliparamkovil - Uthrmerur
84. Veerankulam - Uthramerur
85. Kheezhavalam - Uthramerur
86. Athimaanam - Uthramerur
87. Madhurantagam - (Rly gate)
88. Kalpattu - Uthramerur
89. Vizhudhoor - Uthramerur
90. Ariyapakkam - Uthramerur
91. Kallapuranam - Uthramerur
92. Kotanavallur - Uthramerur
93. Neikuppi - Uthramerur
94. Kunnnam Kolathur - Uthramerur
95. Nelli -Uthramerur
96. Malayankulam - Uthramerur
97. Alandur - Uthramerur
98. Alatharai - Uthramerur
99to 108. Uthramerur- Sivalayam- 10ft tall idol 1008 beads - 10 malais combined in copper wire
109. Athisikandi- Uthramerur
110. Thiruvanakovil - Uthramerur
111. vadapathi - Uthrmerur
112. Mamandur - Uthramerur
113. Vinnamangalam - Uthramerur
114. Valluvapakkam - Uthramerur
115. Kadalmangalam - Uthramerur
116. Andapakkam - Uthramerur
117. Thittalam - Uthramerur
118. Marudham -  Uthramerur
119. Mathur - Uthramerur
120. chettupattu - Uthramerur
121 Khilianagar - Uthramerur
122. Ukkamperumpakkam - Thiruvannamalai
123 to 235 Papanasam, Kumbakonam -  108 shivalaya - to 108 Lingams installed by Lord Rama, Ganapathi, Subramaniar. Suryan, Kasi Viswanathar and Dakshinamurthy.

List of temples to which Viboothi Pattai given

Viboothi Pattai made of copper and coated with silver and a stone in the middle

1. Lord Kandhaswamy temple - Vayalanallur -  Stone studded Viboothi pattai  - 18th May 2015
2. Lord Kasi Viswanatha Swamy - Nemam - Silver plating on copper Viboothi pattai - 2nd June 2015
3. Lord Kailasanadhar - Kaavanpayar -Silver plating on copper Viboothi pattai - 21st June 2015
4. Lord Mahalingaswamy - Vayalathur - Silver plating on copper Viboothi pattai - 21st June 2015
5. Lord Ashraya Ganapathi - Virugambakkam - Silver plating on copper pattai - 22nd June 2015
6. Lord Kailasanadhar - Poonaithangal - Silver plating on copper pattai - 10th August 2015
7. Lord Kailasanadhar - Vadakalpakkam - Silver plating on copper pattai - 10th August 2015
8. Lord Ramanathaswamy - Keezhparemnallur - Silver plating on copper pattai - 10th August
9. Lord Kalatheeswarar - Menallur - Silver plating on copper pattai - 10th August
10. Lord Manikandeeswarar - Keezhnayaganpalayam - 10th August 

Vayalanallur - Murugan temple - Daily Pooja Scheme

On  18th May 2015  accompanied by Mr Adalarasan, Founder- Uzhavarapani Mandram and Mr Asokan, Caterer and a Shiva devotee we went by Auto to Vayalanallur, the birth of Vayalar Nayanar, one of  the 63 Nayanmars.

This temple is on the road connecting the Bangalore highway and Pattabiram and connected by MTC buses.

Lord Kandaswamy at Vayalanallur

In this place, there is a Murugan temple which has a Seven feet tall idol of Lord Yoga Balasubramania swamy ( also called Lord Kandaswamy) installed 500 years before but neglected and no poojas done till few years back. Being Kirthigai, special abhishekam and poojas were conducted and prasadams distributed.

Side view of the temple - on balance land left after unauthorised occupation

Front view of the temple - with plans to build a Gopuram

The present priest, Mr Naagahariharan, took over from his father who died in an accident. He takes care of  a Shiva temple and a Ganesha temple apart from working in TVS Indo- Japan ltd. He has requested the company Management to give him only night shifts so that he can attend to the temple works.

He presently  draws no remuneration from this temple and Mr Adalarasan requested me to add this temple to the list of temples adopted by PWRM Association for daily pooja and pay a monthly remuneration of  Rs 500 per month.

This was agreed and communicated to Mr Naagahariharan who gave his bank account details for online transfer of monthly remuneration. 

Nemam - Avundeeswarar temple

On 24th May 2015 along with my wife I decided to visit the Avudeeswarar temple at Nemam which is 3 kms  off the road connecting Bangalore highway and Thiruvallur.

Rajagopuram - Neman temple

This 1500 years old temple was  built by Jeyankonda Chozhan  and was renovated with the blessings of His Holiness of  Sringeri Peedam in 2010.
It has a 5 tier Rajagopuram in the west, the temple faces south, the lord faces east  and is located in the North East part of the village with a huge dry water tank in the east.

The Goddess Amirthambigai has an ear tilted to listen to the grievances of the devotees and has the right foot in front showing readiness to help. Amirtha yogam period is best to worship this amirtha sakthi and get the full blessings.

It is said that all women should visit this temple in their lifetime atleast once to express their gratitude to this Goddess.

All persons whose name starts with "Go" like gopalan, govindan etc should worship in this temple throughout their life. Such is the sanctity of this temple.

Childless couple should do GHO (Cow) Dhanam here and their prayers would be answered.

To overcome obstacles in getting married , Ambigai is garlanded with bangles.

Bangle garland

Impact of all Dhoshams except 7.5year saturn period can be cured by Lord Saneeswaran who is in a seperate sannidhi next to Navagraham sannidhi.

There is a dhayana mandapam with pictures of all Siddhargals.

Dhayana Mandapam with Pictures of  Siddhas

There are seperate sannidhis for Ganapathy, Subramanian with Valli and Deivanai, Dhakshinamurthy, Bhairavar, Kasi viswanathar/ Visalakshi, Saptha kannigaigal under Alamaram/vepam maram.

Lord Kasi Viswanathan / Visalakshi

This is also a Pithru shethram and the pithru tharpanam etc done here is equal to doing it in Kasi and the theertham is called pithru theertham or Agni theertham.

This temple has an office room and a madappalli  for cooking neivedhiyam with all basic infrastructure.

Ganesa & Sapthakannikaikal under tree near madapalli

However, the temple  is finding it difficult to meet its day to day expenses and the temple is even let out for shooting of TV serials to supplement their income.

Temple side view where shooting takes place

As requested by Mr Kumar who is living close by and taking care of the temple with all sincerity, we have agreed to supply 4 litres of oil per month for lighting of lamps.

Bharaniputhur - Chennai

Background:

It was around 11 am on 18th May 2015, Monday (Somavaram) , a day auspicious for Lord Shiva , that self along with Mr Adalarasan, Founder of Uzhavarapani Mandram , Velachery and Mr Asokan, caterer who had sponsored that day's (being Kirthigai)  special abhishekam and pooja to 7 ft tall Lord Yoga Balasubramanian at Pattabhiram decided to visit Bharaniputhur Ekambareswar / Kamatchi Amman temple and discuss with the local people about the possibility of launching Daily Annadhanam scheme for 50 persons at the temple premises.

Mrs Selvi along with 4 other lady devotees and Mr Balakrishnan, a retired hotel owner and a local resident, showed keen interest to launch the scheme provided some  initial set up cost is taken care of .
It was close to my heart to  launch the "Piddi Arisi Dhittam" (ie.every family  donate one handful of  rice everyday )which is in vogue for more than 60 years in Perambur (where I had spent most of my  years in life) as per the wishes of Paramacharya of Kanchi to help the needy, the disabled and those abandoned by their children and the locals instant and favourable response made me at once seize the opportunity and I offered to bear the entire initial cost of set up.

We immediately arranged for 2 bags of rice, bought pulses, cereals, condiments,  spices, pickles along with basic  infrastructure items like gas stove, 50 nos stainless steel plates, 25 nos stainless steel tumblers , 2 nos knives  for cutting vegetables, spoons etc.

In less than an hours time, Mr Ashokan along with the local lady devotees prepared sambar rice and kesari for 50 people and with bought out potato chips and pickles , the Daily Annadhanam Scheme at Bharaniputhur was successfully launched after offering to the Lord and  Ambal. The locals happily ate and the devotees present assured to take it forward.

Instant decision and immediate implementation was all due to the grace and blessings of the Lord  Ekambareswarar and Kamatchi Amman.

Update
During my recent visit , it was observed that deserving beneficiaries, as intended by us initially, were only a handful and also the local volunteers expressed that they would make special prasadhams on  pradosham days when there are more than 100 devotees in attendance instead of daily annadhanam.
We readily agreed with them as it appeared to be a more practical solution from implementation  point of view.

Viboothi Kumkum & Sandhanam

ABOUT THIS SERVICE

Sandhanam ( sandal paste), kumkum , viboothi are required to apply on the face of the lingam or on any God as per our tradition on a daily basis. However, there is neither supply nor money available in certain temples which are less cared for and hence we thought it fit to supply the same at a cost of Rs 100 per month .

Donors may contribute to this cause for any one temple for a period of one month at this nominal rate of Rs 100.

Viboothi (1/2kg), Kumkum (1/4 kg), Sandal 1pkt, Thiri, Incense stick 1 pkt

Viboothi Pattai

ABOUT THIS OFFERING

On auspicious days like Pradosham, Sivarathri, Kirthigai, Sashti etc. and on all Mondays ( Somavaram days)  and on days when there is no supply of sandal paste/Kumkum the Viboothi Pattai would be best to adorn the Lord.

With this in mind we have made viboothi pattai in copper and plated it with silver and a red stone in the middle.

Temples which have a door and a responsible caretaker/priest may be the ones to which this donation can be made.

Donors may contact us in case they are interested to contribute for the viboothi pattai which is available at a cost of  Rs 300 per piece.

Viboothi pattai made of copper with silver coating and a red stone in  the middle

This item is given only to temples which have a door and a locking system. Only when the caretaker assumes responsibility to maintain it safely do we give this viboothi pattai.

Rudhraksha Malai

ABOUT THIS OFFERING

There are temples which neither have a garden to offer flowers to  god nor have money to purchase the same. Hence it was decided to offer rudraksha malai  with 108 beads to such temples.

This is reusable on a daily basis and makes the lord look at its best as a substitute for flowers /garlands.

Donors interested in contributing may offer Rs 100 per rudraksha malai and get His blessings.

Rudraksha malai with 108 beads purchased wholesale 

Daily Annadhanam scheme

ABOUT THIS SCHEME

There is a section of the community which is not cared for by the family. Added to this, we have the old and the disabled who suffer from lack of a decent meal a day. To cater to this , we thought it appropriate to identify temples which have able bodied and willing volunteers and a water source for cooking and washing and introduce DAILY ANNADHANAM SCHEME to feed atleast 50 such deserving persons daily.

 It is initially planned to purchase gas stove and vessels for cooking, 50 nos stainless steel plates and 25 nos stainless steel tumblers for the beneficiaries to eat daily and supply of provisions like rice, pulses, cereals, spices to last for a few weeks.After discussion with the local people and the volunteers, decision to LAUNCH  Daily Annadhanam Scheme would be made  by bearing the initial SET UP COST. Thereafter, with the local people's participation the scheme would run its course.

Donors interested  in setting up the Daily Annadhanam Scheme in any temple need to contribute Rs 15000 only.This is a one time cost and thereafter the local people would take this scheme forward.

Oil for Lamps

ABOUT THIS OFFERING

Providing light removes darkness and also gives enlightenment. To make lamps burn inside the temple oil is required on a regular basis and the quantity requirement varies with the number of sannadhis.

 Roughly a minimum of 3 litres is required per month per temple and the cost of deepam oil including delivery cost would be Rs 100 per litre. A lot of temples severely suffer from lack of adequate supply of oil.

Donors are requested to liberally contribute to supply of oil to temples at a nominal rate of Rs 100 per litre.

It may be noted here that the wrapper contains a direction that the oil can be used for lighting lamps  only and not intended for cooking purpose. This ensures prevention of misuse by caretakers of the temple in remote areas.

Daily Pooja Scheme

ABOUT  THIS SCHEME

The main focus of forming the PWRM Association ( Place of Worship Renovation & Maintenance Association) was to have basic daily pooja be done at remote temples in rural areas which are less cared for. Structures of some temples are damaged to such extent that the risk of the temple caving in is high.

However renovation of this type would cost huge capital outlay and series of approvals from statutory bodies etc. which are cumbersome, time consuming involving huge costs. Hence we have decided to focus only on maintenance of temples and introduce basic daily pooja like plain water abhishekam, plain rice neivedhiem, applying sandal paste/kumkum and lighting  of lamp.

While water is freely available, civil supplies ration provides rice for neivedhiem, and devotees/sponsors provide oil etc, the remuneration for the priest/ caretaker needs to be bridged in most temples with outside support/conribution.

 After personal meetings and rounds of discussion, we have so far successfully negotiated a rate of Rs 500 per month per temple as remuneration to the priest/caretaker and successfully launched this scheme.

Donors willing to join this Daily  Pooja Scheme need to contribute on a monthly basis (preferably without reminders and further follow up ie. through online transfers or standing instruction to their banks) a sum of Rs 500 every month before the 5th of every month.

Modified Daily Pooja Scheme
We have identified certain temples which are ready to commence daily pooja provided certain initial things like vasthram for the Shiva Lingam, oil for lamps on a regular basis, rudraksha malai , Vibhooti pattai, Vibhooti, kumkum, sandal paste etc are given. We have started this on an experimental basis in 5 temples in Uthramerur in June 2015. If this succeeds, with minimum expenditure we can commence daily pooja in more temples.

Puliyur Temple

Puliyur Shiva Lingam

Temple front view 

Lingam seen through the trees in  the front

Tree supporting the temple side wall

There is no Roof over the Lingam 

Bali Peedam

Amman idol near Shiva Lingam

Wild growth around the temple which is cleared during Shivarathri time

God's Name: Theerthagangar

Location:

This temple is located in Puliyur which is 10 km from Kiranoor on Trichy- Pudukottai road.

Brief about the Temple

        The temple walls look exposed  and the god can be seen between 2 trees in the  front. The side walls have tree trunks embedded into it. The temple is not cared for by the local people who have  maintained well  an amman temple in the vicinity. However , the locals remove the weeds and clean the temple area only to celebrate Sivarathri festival. 

Action:

         We have now identified an young lad named Abhimanyu who has agreed to do the daily pooja to the lord for a Monthly maintenance amount of Rs 500 which would be useful for the education of this boy and also take care of the temple.

  This temple is adopted by PWRM Association from April 2015 for conduct of daily pooja.

List of temples adopted for daily pooja

Sl No.	Location	God's Name	From
	Trichy
1	Puliyur	Theerthagangar	Apr-15
2	uppiliyakudi	Kailasanadhar/Visalakshi	Apr-15
3	Pandithar Kudi Vayal	Soleeswarar/Aanandavalli	Apr-15
	Utramerur
4	Vayalathur	Mahalingaswamy	Apr-15
5	Kaavaan Thandalam	Kasi Viswanathar/Vislakshi	Apr-15
6	Kaavaan Thandalam	Soleeswarar/Sundarambigai	Apr-15
7	Karuvepampoondi	Kasi Viswanathar/Vislakshi	Apr-15
8	Nelvoy	Agastheeswarar/Mangalambigai	Apr-15
	Kumbakonam
9	Namsivayapuram	Panchatchapureeswarar	Apr-15
10	Umamageshwarapuram	Paadaleeswarar/Mangalambigai	Apr-15
11	Ponpethi	Bhavaneeswarar	Apr-15
12	Thirumandangkudi	Thirubhuvaneeswar/Thirupurasundari	Apr-15

               Chennai

13           Vayalanallur                  Kandhaswamy                                                May-15

              Trichy
14          Kolathur                    SreeSundarachozeeswarar/Anandavallli             May - 15

             Uthramerur- One time start up

15         Kaavanpayar                Kailasanadhar                                                    June -15

16         Arasanipalayam           Agastheeswarar                                                  June -15

17         Vayalathur                    filed lingam                                                        June-15

18          Punnai                          Surya lingam                                                     June -15

19          Punnai                           Kailayanadhar- hill temple                               June-15

20          Periaazhaicheri             Shiva lingam                                                     June-15

            Tirunelveli

21        Pallakkal                       Venkatachalapathy                                           July-15 22        Therkukarungulam        Gomathi Amman                                             July-15

            Madurantakam

23        Uzhadhaamangalam     Kailayanadhar                                                  July -15

24         Pudhupalayam             Agastheeswarar/Angaiyarkanni                       July -15

First Step

As a first step towards renovation and  maintenance of ancient temples less cared  for, we at PWRM ASSOCIATION are earnestly attempting  to restore at least  the basic practices of lighting a lamp, performing  plain water abhishekam, placing symbols in the forehead , decorating with flowers & offering plain cooked rice for neivadhiem in as many places in Tamil Nadu.