Source: The Hindu
TIRUVANNAMALAI, INDIA, May 11, 2002: Ninety percent of the renovation work has been completed on the famed Arunachaleswara Temple in Tiruvannamalai and arrangements are being made for the kumbhabhishekam, or rededication ceremony, to be held on June 27. Presiding over a meeting on Saturday to review the arrangements for the kumbhabhishekam, PC Ramasamy, Minister for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, estimated the total cost of the renovation work at US$865,000. Funding for the renovation included specific contributions from donors and a special renovation fund created through general contributions. The “Alankara Mandapam” was constructed with the help of a grant from the government. Meetings are being conducted regularly to review the progress of the various works undertaken by the departments of health, PWD and highways, and local agencies to provide infrastructure and amenities to the pilgrims. The temple’s last kumbhabhishekam was held 25 years ago. Nearby the temple is the ashram of Ramana Maharshi.