Noted philanthropist T. K Rajendran, popularly known as vathal thaatha on account of being a senior citizen and merchant selling vathal (sun-dried vegetables or berries) in Madurai, has offered to donate ₹1.72 crore for construction of a compound wall for the ancient Thiruvaapudayaar temple and renovation of the famous rishaba theerthakulam in Sellur here.
Following a letter written by Madurai South MLA Pudur M. Boominathan to Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Minister P.K. Sekar Babu seeking revamp of the temple, including the compound wall, officials inspected the shrine as it was a sub-temple of Meenakshi Temple, said S. Krishnan, HR&CE Joint Commissioner, Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
In his letter, the MLA said the temple tank – rishaba theerthakulam – was in a bad shape and the compound wall on the eastern and western sides too required immediate attention,.
The HR&CE officials said that as the Vinayagar Sannidhi was close to the compound wall, the engineers felt that it may be shifted until the construction was completed. Hence, the plan was referred to the experts committee for approval, which recommended that the Sannidhi need not be shifted and that the civil works could be carried without disturbing it.
After Mr. Rajendran, who runs Thirupathi Vathal Company, came to know of the revamp of the temple tank and construction of the compound wall , he approached the HR&CE authorities and expressed his wish to bear the entire expenditure, the officials said.
A letter would be presented before the Board of Trustees of Meenakshi Temple for approval soon, they added.
Thanking Mr. Rajendran for his philanthropy, Mr. Boominathan said the merchant was known for his liberal donations to government schools and other public purposes.
Donating for cleansing the temple tank and building the compound wall for the ancient temple was a feather in his cap, he further said and presented a shawl to him.
A few months ago, when the vegetable market on Lake Road was in a bad shape after rain, vathal thaatha volunteered to donate the entire funds that might be required to lay road and build other infrastructural facilities. However, the civic authorities dilly-dallied and did not give their approval, according to Vegetable Merchants Association president Chinnamayan.
About a year ago, the merchant was honoured by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin after Mr. Rajendran gave a fat purse of over ₹1.50 crore for construction of buildings of a school run by Madurai Corporation.
Published – December 22, 2024 06:15 pm IST