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The Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam's Informational Centre (TTDIC), (Local Advisory Committee) has joined hands with Selfless Movement Improving Life Everywhere (SMILE), a voluntary organisation which does not accept or donate money, to initiate a scheme under which the
'needy' temples of the Divya Desams (108 Vaishnava temples) that face difficulties in day-to-day functioning will be helped and improved with the contribution made by the devotees.
Under this initiative, the devotees can contribute to the deprived temples in kind (like vastram for the Lord, daily pooja items, provision for the prasaadham, like rice and pulses, and oil for the lamp) at the TTD Informational Centre, Venkatnarayana Road, Chennai, or at the SMILE organisation. The proceedings will be directly sent to the temples that are in need of them. "It is well and good if people can contribute to the temples directly. But for those who want to help but can't go all the way to the temples in each area, this scheme will be quite useful," said C N Paramasivan, member, Local Advisory Committee.
Cash donations will not be accepted. The devotees can also make monthly or annual contribution of vastrams and articles.
As of now, they have identified 30 to 40 temples which are in bad shape and need attention. They have short-listed three to four temples which need immediate attention. This initiative is now restricted to the temples in Tamil Nadu. "It all depends on the people's response and support to the scheme for further extension to the temples in other states," said
Paramasivan.
Saint-poets Alwars (there were 12 of them including Andaal) visited Vishnu temples, sung praises in the name of the Lord and composed several verses. These 108 temples have come to be known as Divya Desams. The compilation of the verses (known as Paasurams) is the revered Naalayira Divya Prabandam (4,000 verses). There are about 80 Divya Desams in Tamil Nadu, out of which about 40 are in the Chola region (Trichy-Thanjavur-Kumbakonam belt), over 20 are in the Kancheepuram-Chennai region, and close to 20 are in the
Madurai/Tirunelveli region.
Devotees who want to contribute and donate pooja articles and vastrams can contact TTDIC, Chennai, Venkatnarayana Road, T Nagar, Chennai, or contact 9884199284/ 9840799989 for further details.
SMILE can be contacted at No. 16, (old No. 23), TTK Road, 1st Cross Street, Alwarpet, Chennai - 600 018. Phone: 24334700 - Ext 1776. 24334895.
e-mail: apngroup@yahoo.co.in
Fax: 91-44-42323232.
Aishwarya Srinivasan
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