Renovation works of Samayapuram Mariamman temple on schedule

As part of the new queue system, mobile shelters have been placed near the main entrance of the Samayapuram Mariyamman Temple. Photo: S. Kalyanasundaram

A time-bound schedule has been drawn for the execution of various works for the renovation of the Samayapuram Sri Mariamman temple.

Work on the construction of the ‘Amavasai mandapam’ with ground-floor and first floor complex each with a plinth area of 26,000 square feet at an expenditure of Rs.6.1 crore is nearing completion. It will be completed by the middle of December, according to G. Thennarasu, Joint Commissioner of the temple.

He said that a large number of devotees thronged the temple on the occasions of New Moon Day and Full Moon Day. It can accommodate a total number of 2,000 devotees.

Work on the tonsuring ‘mandapam’ is also nearing completion. About 300 persons can be accommodated at this mandapam at a given time at this building which has a plinth area of 15,000 square feet.

The toilet block under construction at an expenditure of Rs.99 lakh has bathing facility too. There are separate blocks for men and women. All these three blocks are aimed at providing more amenities to a large number of devotees and are located on a single master complex area of 22 acres of land adjoining the temple. The entire area would be beautified by laying concrete roads to a cumulative length of 530 metres all around for which Rs. 1.86 crore has been sanctioned. This apart, a compound wall would be constructed around the entire master complex at an expenditure of Rs.79 lakh. Three high-mask lamp poles would also be set up in the area.

South gopuram

He said that the work on the construction of the south gopuram, at an expenditure of Rs. 20.9 lakh, would be completed by middle of January. The 34 feet high ‘gopuram’ includes ‘karkaram’ to a height of 19 feet and the ‘gopuram’ to a height of 15 feet. Work on the west gopuram was also nearing completion.

He said that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department has sanctioned Rs.3.15 crore for the construction of a seven-tier ‘rajagopuram’. Work would commence by January next year.

With a view to regulating crowd, the temple authorities have introduced a new system. Mobile shelters have been set up at the main entrance to the temple. With a large number of Iyyappa devotees thronging the temple, the new queue system has come in handy for regulating the rush.

The Department has also sanctioned Rs.1.16 crore for providing amenities at Sri Adhi Mariamman temple, a sub-temple of Sri Mariamman temple. “The sprawling ground in front of the Sri Adhi Mariamman temple will be converted into a rest shed for which Rs. 98 lakh has been sanctioned. The work will commence in course of time before this year,” he said. A new ‘annadhanam’ block would be constructed at an expenditure of Rs.18 lakh, he added.