Ten ancient and famous temples in Vellore district are currently undergoing renovation without any alteration of the features depicting their ancientness at a cost of Rs. 3.70 crore.

According to a release from the District Collector R. Nanthagopal, a total of 77 temples in Adi Dravida colonies and tribal areas were renovated and ‘kumbabishekam’ performed at a cost of Rs. 38.50 lakh from 2012 to 2015, while another 74 temples in rural areas were renovated and consecrated at a cost of Rs. 37 lakh.

Welfare aids were being provided to 3,250 ‘poosaris’ (temple priests) employed in the temples in Vellore district under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department. A total of 65 retired ‘poosaris,’ 104 retired temple employees and 27 retired ‘archakas’ and temple musicians were being given a monthly pension of Rs. 1000.

Puja materials were given to 514 small temples as per the announcement made by the Chief Minister in the Assembly under rule 110 during 2014-15.

In the last three years, family welfare fund of Rs. 1 lakh each were given to the families of 14 archakas, poosaris and other employees who died while in service. Six persons were given assistance of Rs. 40,000 each for pilgrimage.

A new wooden temple car was designed at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore and the ‘therottam’ (car procession) conducted in the Ekambareswarar Temple in Walajapet.

Similarly, a new wooden car was designed at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh and ‘therottam’ performed at the Varadaraja Perumal Temple on the southern banks of Palar in Arcot, and a wooden car designed at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh (with a government contribution of Rs. 10 lakh) for the Bindhumadhava Perumal Temple in Thuthipet in Ambur taluk.

A total of 65 retired ‘poosaris,’ 104 retired temple employees and 27 retired ‘archakas’ and temple musicians are being given a monthly pension of Rs. 1000