Opportunity to take part in historic temple renovation kainkaryam‏-Sri Venugopala Swamy Kainkarya Sabha

Moolavar Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal

 

Uthsavar, Sri Rukmini Sathyabhaamaa sametha Sri Venugopala Swamy

Alwar-Acharyargal

Udayavar and Manavala Mamunigal

Main entrance

Dear all,

I request you to participate and support in the Renovation of Doddacharpuram Temple.

The village of Kaliappettai, otherwise known as Doddacharpuram, is on the western side of the River Palar and at a distance of 8 KMs from Chengalpattu town. It has a glorious history of its own, of which we are all very proud.  The village has a Vishnu temple whose presiding deity is the moola vigraham of Sri Lakshmi Narayana  (moolavar only). The temple also houses Sri Venugopala Swamy with His consorts Rukmani and Sathyabhama, Senkamala Thayar, Sri Karvanathullan with His consorts, Sri Chakrathazhwar, Nammazhwar, Thirumangai Azhwar, Swamy Emperumanar and Sri Manavala Mamunigal whose idols were installed in the temple in various periods.

The history of the village dates back to nearly five hundred years and the temple had all along been witnessing daily thrikala poojas, thirumanjanams and grand annual festivals for the deities as per the agama shastras. Special mention must be made of the unique ten-day uthsavam to Swamy Emperumanar conducted on a grand scale following the same procedure as in Swamy’s birth place, Sriperumpudur. The year 1928 was very special as that year the temple underwent samprokshanam in the gracious presence of Sri Sonnavannam-seytha Perumal of Yathokthakaari Sannidhi (i.e., Thiruvehka Divyadesam) along with Sri Mudhaliyandan Swamigal, Sri Thirumani Swamigal and Sri Pillai Lokam Swamigal. Uthsavams following this custom were carried on without any break until 1983.

As days passed by, the tradition could not be continued due to lack of patronage and paucity of financial support as most of the inhabitants, especially the srivaishnavas of the village, started migrating  to various cities to earn their living. As a result, the maintenance of the temple became extremely arduous in spite of the fact that a few sthalathars strove their best to carry on the tradition with depleted man power and resources by offering deities at least a one-time pooja in the mornings alone by engaging an Archakar for the purpose.

The dearth of financial inflow and the lack of periodical maintenance resulted in gradual dilapidation of the temple structures including the vahana mandapam, madaipalli and the compound walls. To address this lamentable condition of the temple, Sri Venugopala Swamy Kainkarya Sabha was revived with the anugraham and advice of our Acharyan, Sri Koil Kandhadai Vadhoola Desika Annavilappan Kumara Ramanujacharya Swamy (Mudaliandan Swamy).  Further, a Renovation Committee was constituted, which resolved to urgently commit to renovating the temple structure so that nithya-thiruvaradhanam of perumal and general worship can be resumed.

The committee engaged competent personnel to survey the temple for the necessary repair work, estimate the cost, formulate short- and long-term plans, and devise modalities for raising funds for the purpose. The survey revealed that extensive rehabilitation work had to be undertaken quickly to prevent further structural damage. In August 2010, the committee decided to undertake the renovation project in the following phases:

    Construction of Madaippalli and Vahana Mantapam --- Rs. 5,00,000
    Reparing Ardhamantapam and Thirumanjana Mantapam --- Rs. 8,30,000
    Reparing Gopuram --- Rs. 3,20,000
    Construction of Compound Wall --- Rs. 3,50,000

As of January 2012, the construction of madaippalli has been nearly completed. The madaippalli will first serve as Balalayam, as the other phases of the project is undertaken.

 Today, the money required to complete the renovation is Rs. 15,00,000. While this is a tall target, it is certainly a very worthy kainkaryam to bring the temple to a basic level of functioning, if not to restoring its past glory. We, therefore, appeal to devotees all over to offer generous financial support to the renovation effort and obtain the blessings of Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal and Sri Venugopala Swamy.


Appeal in Tamil

 

Devotees in India can use one of these two options to donate:

Directly remit the amount into SB A/c No. 129601000018838, Indian Overseas Bank, Velachery Branch [IFS Code IOBA0001296] and inform the Secretary of the Sabha
    Draw cheque / draft in favour of “SRI VENUGOPALA SWAMY KAINKARYA SABHA - KALIAPPETTAI” and send to the address given below:

G. Ravikrishnan,
Secretary,
Sri Venugopala Swamy Kainkarya Sabha - Kaliapettai
New No.2/ old No. 9, 9th Main Road,
Vijaya Nagar, Velachery,
Chennai-600 042.
Ph: 9444914426

Devotees in USA and other countries can donate through PayPal or or send a check favoring VEDICS Foundation to 22 Bucklin Road, N. Andover, MA 01845.

For more information on donation through PayPal Please visit Vedics Foundation