Chennai: Alamara Vinayakar temple

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Chennai: Alamara Vinayakar temple, new secretariat complex

The Times of India

Jaya restores Alamara temple idols shifted by DMK govt

TNN | Jul 12, 2011, 04.09am IST CHENNAI: In yet another reversal of the previous DMK regime's decision, this one involving the gods, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday sanctioned Rs 18.5 lakh for the renovation and restoration of idols at the Alamara Vinayakar temple on the premises of the new secretariat complex.

The temple, which now has only the Vinayaka idol under the banyan tree, will also have Anjaneya, Durga and other idols. Twenty-three idols were relocated from the temple for the construction of the new secretariat by the DMK government. The restoration works will begin immediately. Officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) department were not available for comment.

A statement issued by the government said the temple got its name as the idol was found under the tree and devotees residing in the complex as well as those from other areas visit the temple. The DMK government in 2008 decided to relocate the temple for construction of the assembly and secretariat complex. After a PIL was filed in the Madras high court against the removal of the temple, a sessions court, which subsequently heard the case, directed the PWD to pass orders on the petitioner's plea.

The government decided to leave the Vinayaka idol at the same place and allocated 2,400 sq ft at an alternate location at a nominal rent and also fenced off the original location. Except the Vinayaka idol, the other 23 idols were relocated to the new location provided by the PWD.

The government then asked the HRCE department to construct a temple on the new land from its own funds. Chief minister J Jayalalithaa, reversing the DMK government's decision, has ordered restoration of the 23 idols back to their original spots and also said the government would undertake restoration work at the earliest. She has asked the authorities to restore the idols according to agama rituals and practices. The funds will be allocated from the HRCE department's general fund and the consecration of the temple would take place by year-end, the order said.