CM Stalin Inaugurates ₹10.57 Crore Devotee Rest House at Tiruchendur Temple, Grants Promotions to Six Archakar Staff at Rameswaram Temple

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated a devotee accommodation complex built at a cost of ₹10.57 crore at the famous Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur, in Thoothukudi district. He also handed over promotion orders to six temple staff from the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram, elevating them to the rank of Archakar (Priest).

The inauguration was conducted at the State Secretariat and organized by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The newly constructed rest house at Tiruchendur comprises 52 rooms, offering comfortable lodging facilities for pilgrims visiting the coastal temple town. The facility was developed under the temple’s own funds and donations from devotees.

Holistic Development of Temples Under DMK Government

The HR&CE Department, under the current administration, has prioritized:

• Renovation and Kumbabishekam (consecration) of temples
• Providing basic amenities for devotees
• Reclaiming encroached temple lands
• Implementing integrated infrastructure projects for popular temples

In line with this, the Tiruchendur Temple Development Master Plan was launched by CM Stalin on September 28, 2022, with an outlay of ₹300 crore, funded by temple revenues and public donations. The plan includes:

• A marriage hall
• Pilgrim accommodation
• Multipurpose halls
• A hospital
• Hair donation counters
• Rest areas
• Security and drinking water facilities
• Staff quarters

A part of this project—comprising a hair donation hall, cloak rooms, open-air theatre, water treatment plant, and RO water purification center—was inaugurated earlier on October 14, 2024, at a cost of ₹33.25 crore.

New Pilgrim Guest House Opened

Continuing this effort, CM Stalin today inaugurated the newly built devotee guest house with 52 rooms at a cost of ₹10.57 crore to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims visiting the Tiruchendur temple.

Promotions at Rameswaram Temple

During the same event, the Chief Minister also distributed promotion orders to six employees of the Arulmigu Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram, elevating them to the Archakar (priest) rank in recognition of their service.

Massive HR&CE Investments Across Tamil Nadu

Under the DMK-led government, the HR&CE Department has, over the past four years, undertaken:

• 26,695 temple-related development works
• Worth ₹7,006 crore
• Across 11,712 temples
• Out of which 13,541 works amounting to ₹3,526 crore have already been completed

Dignitaries Present

The event was attended by:

• Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin
• Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekar Babu
• Minister for Fisheries and Animal Husbandry Dr. Anita R. Radhakrishnan
• Chief Secretary Thiru N. Muruganandam, IAS
• Tourism, Culture and HR&CE Additional Chief Secretary Dr. V. Manickam, IAS
• Commissioner of HR&CE Department P.N. Sridhar, IAS
• Secretary for HR&CE Projects Saba. Sabarinathan
• District Collector of Thoothukudi K. Ilangovan, IAS
• Additional Commissioner Dr. C. Palani, IAS
• HR&CE temple trustee R. Arulmurugan
• Other senior government officials and temple administrators

The HR&CE Department reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the experience of devotees and preserving Tamil Nadu’s sacred temple heritage through sustainable infrastructure and transparent governance.