Wed Oct 22 10:21:58 UTC 2025: Summary:
Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, P. K. Sekarbabu, has initiated a program to redistribute excess cotton dhotis and saris donated to large temples to smaller, one-time puja and village temples that can benefit from them. The initiative addresses storage issues faced by larger temples and provides garments for deities in smaller temples. The program was launched at Thiruveleeswarar in Padi, with 119 temples in the Chennai circle receiving garments.
News Article:
Tamil Nadu Minister Launches Dhoti and Sari Redistribution Program for Temples
CHENNAI, October 22, 2025 – In a move aimed at optimizing resources and supporting smaller religious institutions, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, P. K. Sekarbabu, today launched a scheme to redistribute excess cotton dhotis and saris donated to major temples across the state.
Speaking at an event at the Thiruveleeswarar Temple in Padi, Minister Sekarbabu explained that large temples often receive a surplus of garments from devotees intended for the deities. The sheer volume of these donations creates storage challenges for these temples.
“These garments, known as ‘vasthrams,’ can be put to good use by smaller temples that may not have the same access to resources,” stated Minister Sekarbabu. “This program ensures that these sacred offerings are utilized respectfully and benefit a wider range of religious communities.”
As part of the initial phase, 119 smaller temples within the Chennai circle have already received vasthrams for their idols. The initiative is expected to expand to other regions of Tamil Nadu in the coming months. The program aims to alleviate storage issues for larger temples while simultaneously bolstering the resources available to smaller, often rural, temples for their religious practices.
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