Temples, tourist spots in TN to get makeover

Tamilnadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today ordered temples and tourist spots across the State to go in for a make-over, as such places have great value in promoting harmony among the people. An official press statement listed out the places which are proposed to be renovated are:

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Srirangam Temple in Tiruchi district has thousands of devotees who face trouble in having a dip in Kaveri river and then walk till the Aranganathar Temple. Hence, a shelter on the roadside will be built at a cost of Rs one crore. Arulmigu Rajagopalaswami Temple at Mannarkudi in Thiruvarur will see new waiting rooms, store rooms and bathrooms for the devotees and they will be built at a cost of Rs 45 lakh. Mudhupettai Jambuvan Dharga will soon have a new parking lot and bathrooms which will be built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. The Sri Soumya Narayana Perumal Temple in Thirukoshtiyur in Sivaganga district will have waiting rooms, bathrooms and toilets at a cost of Rs 56 lakh. Similarly in Virudhunagar district where Ramana Maharishi's birthplace at Thiruchuzhi is situated, waiting rooms, drinking water facility and bathrooms will be built at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh. Mariamman Temple in Irukkankudi in Virudhunagar district will also see waiting rooms, drinking water facility and bathrooms at a cost of Rs 40 lakh. A temple for Lord Shiva at Srivanjiyam, Thiruvarur district, will also have same facilities at a cost of Rs. 43.60 lakh. A new lodge will be built at Balasubramaniya Swami Temple at Ayakkudi in Tirunelveli district at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. Likewise, Adaikkala Matha shrine at Elakkurichi in Ariyalur district, where Veeramamunivar lived, will have waiting rooms, drinking water facility, bathrooms, concrete roads and a compound wall with steps built for the temple pond at a cost of Rs 44 lakh. Orders have been given for renovating the bird sanctuary at Thiruvarur with waiting rooms, boats, life jackets, etc at a cost of Rs 34 lakh. Tourists can have a better experience in the State, once the works are over, the statement said.