PART III--RENOVATION.....

As planned, Athan, Sampath with his wife Viji, reached Karaippatti on 19th itself. Myself with Lakshmi, my betterhalf, and Kuppu could make it only on 21st. Sri. Sundarrajan alias Sundachu, son of Athan also reached the village on that day. All were put up in upstairs portion of Sivaramans house. It has all the convenince for a comfortable stay, a luxury by all village-standards. Sampath had made all the arrangements for food. Vessals and other cooking aids were brought from Srirangam. LPG and gas were also made available.
In the moning of 21st. Thirumanjanam, Holy Bath, for Perumal was performed as per the wish of Sundachu in connection with the marriage of his daughter. Sundachu and Sampath carried out the entire rituals as per the custom in VaishnavaTemples, and Vishnusahasranama
Parayanam by all. About ten local residents participated. After Archana, Theerthaprasadam,
Chadari and the distribution of Anna Prasadam, there were some discussions and interactions with the locals. All agreed that we should carry out the Renovation Work and all cooperation promised. We had a sumptuous lunch. The ladies proved to be very good hosts. We had some discussions and looked into some of the problem areas. We had a short afternoon nap. At 4 PM
we set out, had Darshan of Mariamman and met with the Local Panchayat Chief. We were
received with all cordiality. We appealed to him to extend his moral, physical and administrative cooperation. With all humility he accepted our invitation to visit the temple
and promised all help. His wife offered us cool drinks.
During the night we met again. It was informed that orders had already been placed for Uthsavamurthy and it might be ready in about a months time. Arrangements have to be made for Prathishtapana as per Agama Shastras. All the pending and proposed items and action taken were reviewed in detail. Kuppu has recorded every detail, from the beginning, receipts and expenditure in a note book.
Sundachu left for Chennai on the same day and I extended my stay for one more day.
On 22nd May we again gathered at the Temple premises. Two men, deputed by the Panchayat
Chief, started clearing and levelling the path around the main Temple Area. Kuppu arranged to put up the main gate and a signboard panel above the gate during that night itself. A painter promised to complete the whitewashing of external side of the compund wall with 6 " breadth
white and red vertical columns painted alternately as normally done in Perumal Temples.
I left for Salem with my wife. Kuppu, Athan, Sampath and his wife stayed there till the end of May.