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The famous Shiva Temple in Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu is to get a Golden chariot soon weighing  10 kgs and the estimated cost is around Rs.1.25 crores. A function was marked to begin the work for the chariot with Poorvanga Pooja.  Temple authorities say this Chariot would be carved from the funds from religious heads of society who are ready to contribute.

The people are happy with the announcement and feel their long cherished dream of having a Golden Car for the famous Deities have come true at last. A committee is formed to structure the work coordination in this regard, along the lines of support from Hindu Religious Endowment board.  As devotees may know, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Gandimathi (Goddess Parvathi) is bigger than the Madurai Meenakishi Temple and there are two big temples inside one huge complex and the name of the place Thirunelveli derives its name from this Temple history. Lord Shiva Blesses everyone with His Consort Gandhimathi and this temple represent the Gyaana Shakthi (Power of Knowledge) among other 3 Shakti Peetams.

A formal 'beginning prayers' were conducted few days back and many people and devotees witnessed the function.  To begin with, carving of wood work for the proposed chariot begun and this was sponsored by the famous textile house Pothys at a cost of 11 lakhs. The entire work will be carried out by Sri Kalyanasundara Sthapathi and his team.   

The Chariot Committee will function under the head of Sri Swamy Shankaranantha, Sri Chelliah Pillai would be the Treasurer.  "This is one of the few big temples where there is no golden chariot, all this work will be carried out with the money from like-minded personalities. It will be made with 10 kgs of gold with the height of 12.5 feet and the total cost would be 1.25 crore rupees.  We expect to complete the work within six months.  All are welcome, within their capacity to contribute and receive the Blessings of Lord" he added. Those who wants to contribute generously may please contact Sri Chelliah Pillai at his cell 94432-84641 (Swamy Shankarananda 94433-6896).  MLA Malairaja begun the first contribution worth 8.75 gram of gold.

Reported by Pradosham - 18.9.08

TEMPLENEWS  - 
ARRANGEMENTS UNDERWAY FOR A GOLDEN CHARIOT FOR NELLAIPPAR (LORD SHIVA) TEMPLE