We can achieve freedom from recurring
problems if we plan ahead and share the work
A small gathering of about 15 people met in the Vivekananda Hall at the PS Senior Secondary School on RK Mutt Road in Mylapore to the rousing sound of drum beats in the background, as children gathered to raise the flag on the morning of Independence Day. A sumptuous breakfast, neatly served and dispensed, was followed by piping hot filter coffee. It was a chance to meet and greet old acquaintances, and to make new ones, as Mr Venkat said when he commenced the meeting by asking everyone present to introduce themselves and indeed, several memories were jogged and fond family connections established!
A
WhatsApp group, which will be moderated to ensure it’s not spammed with social
greetings and forwards, has been created. Devotees who wish to volunteer can be
a part of this group by (sending a SMS request to Sri N. Shriram (98401 00668) or Sri S. Hari Theerthan (98410 42466).
Another
idea that was mooted is to have someone serve the function of a manager
locally, if not living onsite then visiting every day, or perhaps four times a
week, from Kumbakonam, to oversee the management of the temple. Should anyone
have contacts and resources in Kumbakonam (none are handy at present) to enable
such a person to be appointed to the task, they may please come forward to help.
Devotees
are also urged to leave not only their name and phone number in the feedback
register available at the temple, but also take the trouble to share details of
issues they have faced or noticed while there; please be assured that this
will not be seen as ‘negative criticism’ but rather, as very useful and
constructive feedback for improvement.
Other
points that came up over the course of the meeting: the creation of a website
that’s easier to search and locate, and to which devotees can directly update
their current coordinates; the possibility of having fixed pooja timings for
the Ayyanar kovil, an idea that faces some resistance since people travel over
great distances by road to get there and thus cannot plan their trip too
precisely; the decision to upload costs associated with abhishekam and
alankaram for the deity on the blog (and later, the website) so that devotees
don’t have to bargain with the gurukal over how much to pay for what; the hope
that devotees in Chennai can meet at least once in six months to cement
relationships and share thoughts on how to go forward; thinking ahead for the
Kumbhabhishekam, which is due in four years from now; and working towards Sec
80-G exemption for contributions to the cause of restoring and maintaining
these ancient shrines (devotees may be interested to know that the rare and
sacred temple to Shiva as Bhujapateeshwarar in Suraikayur is one of only three
such shrines in India where the rays of the Sun fall on the deity at a certain
time of the day - so please do make it a point to visit and be blessed here
while in Suraikayur).
Also, please take note that Mrs Radha mami (94980 78245 /
97917 52886) in neighbouring Tirukarukavur is on hand to provide meals to visiting
devotees, who may call ahead to alert her that they are arriving, and no payment
need be made to her since she is already compensated for this service by
another devotee.
The
other key agenda item, which was discussed after print-outs of tabulated
accounts were provided, is to raise a corpus that can enable annual maintenance
of the temple as a matter of course. This is a critical issue that requires the
community to come forward generously. Hearteningly, a few devotees made their
annual contribution known to the gathering today morning itself.
