Meeting on 15 August 2016 to discuss Accounts, Corpus and Volunteering

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!

The meeting moved on to a lively discussion as the people present shared their devout experiences of visiting their kuladaivam at Suraikayur, before and after the restoration efforts, recounting a range of views, from miraculous blessings attributable to the deity to assorted difficulties in organising visits over the tenures of some of the gurukals who have served the temple. The informal trio of Messrs Venkat, Radhakrishnan and Haritheerthan clarified that there is no official committee charged with overseeing the development and daily maintenance of the temples at Suraikayur, insisting that they could only describe themselves as well-wishers. Indeed, they cannot be praised enough for taking on the task and staying the course despite the overwhelming problems of deploying manpower and materials as outsiders in a remote village with internal conflicts.

The main focus of the day's meeting was to try and augment their consistent efforts with a core team of volunteers who make the commitment to visit Suraikayur at least once a year, so that someone or other is on site at least once a month, or preferably once a fortnight as suggested at the meeting, to inspect and revert on the regular issues related to the nitty-gritty of maintenance, overall cleanliness of the temples and grounds, the guesthouse and toilets, whether the priest is discharging his duties responsibly (for which he is being paid generously), and sporadic maintenance issues that might come up. The organisers welcomed volunteers to travel with them initially (ex-Chennai) on day trips so that they are guided through the maintenance list, such as it is, and a peer review system is established in time.

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.

The appeal to raise funds for annual maintenance has been circulated before and we urge you once again to contribute and enable the Suraikayur Mahasastha Temple to function as a clean, well-maintained, tranquil and beautiful place, with all essential facilities to welcome devotees and, most importantly, enable daily worship of our kuladaivam to continue as it should. With the divine blessings of Suraikayur Mahasastha, may we succeed in these humble human endeavours.