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Hindu Temple

Hindu Temples of any parts of the country are registered at the Department. It is very important that the temples must be administrated by only Hindus.

To register a temple, an application form, issued by the Department must be completed and the following documents to be annexed along with the form.

  • A short history of the Temple
  • Details of the Administrative Committee
  • An approved constitution of the administration
  • The document in proof of the Temple land.
  • Annual reports of the Administration and Accounts
  • Details of Temple Idols, Special Poojas, and Annual Festivals
  • Details of social activities carried out by the temple
  • Bank Account No. (if available)

The above particulars should be prepared in separate sheets and annexed.

The completed application and supporting documents to be sent under registered post to The Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Culture Affairs, 248-1/1, Galle Road, Colombo -04.

Hindu Temple Registration application form Click here


Hindu Institution

Hindu Religious & Cultural Institution which is formed to promote the Hindu Religious & Cultural activities is registered at this Department. It is compulsory that all the members of such Institutions should be Hindus.

To register a Hindu Religious Institution an application form issued by the Department should be completed and the following documents to be annexed.

  • Minutes of the Inaugural General Meeting.
  • Elected Office bearers particulars
  • An approved constitution.
  • Action Plan.
  • Particulars of Accounts.
  • Particulars of Hindu Aranery School – if conducted
  • Bank Account No. (If available)

The above particulars should be prepared in separate sheets and annexed.

The completed application and supporting documents to be sent under registered post to The Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Culture Affairs, 248-1/1, Galle Road, Colombo -04.

Hindu Institution Registration application form Click here


Hindu Aranery School

Aranery Schools are registered in the Department. An Aranery School should be managed under the temple or organization which is registered in the Department.

To register an Aranery school an application form issued by the department should be completed and the following documents to be annexed.

  • Registered certificate of the administrative Hindu temple / Hindu institutions which should be registered under the department.
  • Details of the Aranery School students
  • Attendances of the students for previous three months.
  • Full details of the Aranery school teachers

The completed application and supporting documents to be sent under registered post to The Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Culture Affairs, 248-1/1, Galle Road, Colombo -04.

Hindu Aranery Registration application form Click here

Temple Renovation

According to the financial allocations of the Department a little amount of grant is given for the renovation of Hindu Temple on request by the temple authorities. The temple should have been registered at the Department.

A form issued by the Department for requesting financial assistance to be furnished and submitted along with the following documents.

  • Registration Certificate of the temple.
  • Particulars of the temple committee in the Temple Letter Head with the President and Secretary’s signatures.
  • A request letter by the temple authorities mentioning the details of renovation.
  • An estimate approved by the technical officer or a sculptor.
  • A plan of the renovation
  • A photo copy of the Bank Account – Main pages of the book.
Very Important:

Certification in the application form by the Grama Niladari and the Divisional Secretary of the area is compulsory.

Hindu Orphanages Promotion of Activities

The Elder’s & Children Homes run by Hindu Institutions are registered at this Department. The particulars of Elders and Children are requested and received annually by the Department.

Depending on the No. of Elders & Children a small amount of financial assistance is granted for a particular purpose. Such as furniture and equipment, cloth materials etc.

Purchase of Furniture for Aranery

A request should be made by the Aranery school. The amount of Rs. 30,000 is allocated for each schools for this purpose.

Organization Renovation

A small amount of financial assistance is granted to the Hindu Institutions which have their own buildings for the renovation purposes and also financial assistance is granted for the Hindu Religious activities organized by the Institutions.

Special Allowance for Aranery Teachers

The amount of Rs 2,000.00 per year is allocated for a aranery school teacher who is participated in the Aranery teachers’ exam which is conducted by the department on every year.

 

Aranery Students General Knowledge Exam

These exams are conducted in each year with the view to educate the religious knowledge for aranery school students. According to the National level and District level results awards are given by the Department. And certificates also issued for the students who have received above 40 marks.

Hindu Dharmachchariyar work shop is conducted on the following topics.

  • History of Saivism
  • Saints & leaders
  • The twelve sacred books of Saivism
  • Vedas & Agamas
  • Hindu temple Art & Architechture

Hindu final Examination workshop is conducted on the following topics.

  • Historical foundations of Hinduism
  • Philosophical foundations of Hinduism
  • Hinduism – A way of life
  • Hinduism – Literature

 

Entry visa

The Indian Hindu Priests and Sculptors who wish to give their services to Hindu Temples or for renovation work are recommended Entry Visa to enter Sri Lanka.

The Temple should have been registered at this Department. The temple authorities should submit a letter mentioning the details of the renovation along with the main pages of the Pass Port of the Indian persons.

The letters should be addressed in English to the following authorities.

  • The Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs
  • The Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs
  • The Controller, Department of Immigration & Emmigration

A certification by the District Secretary / Divisional Secretary, Grama Niladhari stating that the Indian Priests / Sculptors service is necessary for the temple. The temple authorities should inform through the Grama Niladhari to the Divisional Secretary and District Secretary about the renovation of the temple and get a letter of certification.

Residential visa

The Residence Visa is recommended by the Department for the Indian Priests or Sculptors who have come on a Entry Visa and already who have got the Residence Visa to continue their services.

The Temple Authorities address three separate letters in English mentioning the names and the Passport Nos. of the persons for the request of Residence Visa to the following officers:-

  • The Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs
  • The Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs
  • The Controller, Department of Immigration & Emigration

The following documents to be annexed along with the letter.

  • Furnished application form issued by the Department
  • Necessary pages of the Pass Port including the Visa
  • Recommendation letter given by the Department for Entry or Residence Visa.

Certification by the Grama Niladhari, Divisional Secretary / District Secretary

Application form Click here

Waiver of Customs Duty

Duty waiver for Statues and Pooja items for registered temples which are donated by persons, for the use of temples is recommended by the Department.

The following documents have to be submitted.

  • Letters in English addressed to the Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs; The Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs; The Director, Department of Fiscal Policy containing the statues or the pooja items.
  • Duly completed form issued by the Department
  • A donation letter mentioning the about things are donated to the temple.
  • Proforma Invoice received in the Name of the temple.
  • Copy of the Bill of Lading
  • A copy of the freight details (3 sets of above documents)

Import Flowers

Permission to import flowers for the special pooja purposes is recommended through the Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs to the Director Seeds and Plant Protection by the Department.

The following documents have to be submitted.

  • Registration copy of the temple.
  • Request letters addressed to the Director, Department of Hindu Religious & Cultural Affairs and the Secretary, Ministry of Religious Affairs mentioning the details of the variety of the flowers and weight.

Application form Click here

Hindu Priest and Monks

A special identity card is issued to Hindu Monks and to the Priests who work in the Hindu Temples. An application form is issued for this purpose. Certification from the Trustee of the Temple, Grama Seva Niladhari and the Divisional Secretary is compulsory. Two photographs should be annexed along with the form.

  • Priest Identity Card - Registration application form Click here
  • Monks Identity Card - Registration application form Click here

Iyappan Pilgrims

Special Identity Cards issued to the applicants those who take part in the Sabarimalai Iyappa Swamy Pilgrimage proceeded India every year. The Indian High commission also opens a special counter to facilitate the devotees those who possess the special I.D Sri Lankan Air Lines also issues concessionary air tickets for them.

Art & Architecture

A Seminar on Art and Architecture is introduced by the Department to the students who follow courses in Hindu Culture, Aesthetics, History and Tamil in the Local Universities. Various aspects of Hindu Temples, the temples of Dravidean, Vesara and Nagara traditions and the temples in the periods of Chola, Vijayanagar, Hoishala, Chalukiya, Orissa were taken as subjects.

A first such course was held during 2010.

Research

Research Seminars are conducted annually by the Department of various titles and submit research papers. These research papers and compiled and published as Departmental publications.

Year Book
2010 Vijayanagaraperrasum Kalasara Marumalarchiyum
2009 Solapperarasum Samaya Perunerikalum
2008 Bhakthineriyum Panpaddu Kolankalum
2007 Sanka Ilakkiyamum Samugamum
2003 Silappathikaraththil Panpaddu kolankal
2002 Hindu Culture – Nadanankalum Oviyankalum
2001 Hindu Culture – Kovilkalum Sitpankalum
1998 Thamilakathilum Ilankaiyilum 13th Centuary Hindu Religious Development
1997 Tamil Arankiyal Marapukalum Mattankalum
1995 Tamil Naddar Valakkattiyal
1993 Thodarpadal, Moli, Naveenathuvam

Epigraphy

To promote the knowledge in Epigraphy, a training course was introduced by the Department for the students of Local Universities, who are following courses in History, Tamil and Hindu Civilization. The inscriptions on Brahmi, Asoka and Sri Lankan were taken as subjects. Local and Indian Epigraphist conduct the classes.

Two such courses have been held during 2009 and 2010.

Aranery Teachers & Student

These workshops are conducted in Island wide for the benefit of aranery school teachers & students who are sitting for the Dharmachchariyar Examination & Aranery final Examination which are conducted by the Department of Examination.

Pannisai

The view of the pannisai classes, which are conducted only in our department development asst managed district. is improving the skill of pannisai for aranery school students.

Saivasiththantham

Classes on Saiva Sidhantham is one of the projects conducted annually by the Department for those who are interested in this field.

There classes were taken by environment scholars of Tamil Nadu for 15 days. Two such courses have been held during 2008 and 2009.

Hindu Lecture

Hindu lectures which are taken place in Guru pooja day & special religious days, are conducted with a view to educate the tradition to the younger generations in Island wide.

Thaipongal

This festival is conducted annually in district level through the Development Assistants who have been attached to the Divisional Secretariats with the collaboration of Hindu Organizations. Also a grand Ceremony will be conduct in a district at National level by the Department.

National Day

In order to mark the National Day special pooja events are arranged by our Department in a Hindu Temple in the morning on the 4th of February of every year.

MahaSivarathi

This festival is conducted annually in district level through the Development Assistants who have been attached to the Divisional Secretariats with the Collaboration of Hindu temples. Also a grand function arranged by the Department will take place in a District at National level.

Tamil, Sinhala New Year

The Sinhala Tamil New Year is celebrated in April annually by the Ministry including the all staff members of the other Departments which are functioning under this Ministry. Sports events, traditional games and other competitive activities will be conducted and prizes will be given to the winners.

Navarathri

The Navarathiri festival is conducted annually in district level through the Development Assistants who have been attached to the Divisional Secretariats with the Collaboration of Hindu Temples and Hindu Organizations. Also a grand function arranged by the Department will take place in a district at national level where cultural musical and dance programme will be staged.

Deepavali

Deepaawali festival is conducted annually in district level through the Development Assistants who have been attached to the Divisional Secretariats with the Collaboration of Hindu Temples.

Guru Pooja

Guru Poojas of Hindu saints (Nayanmar) will be conducted in district level through the Development Assistants who have been attached to the Divisional Secretariats with the Collaboration of Hindu Organizations.

The ‘Kalabhushana’ Award is awarded to the Local Artistes who have rendered yeoman services to Art and Culture. The tamil Artistes were selected annually by the Department.

Artistes over 60 years of Age, and in the fields such as Literature, Folk, Music and Architecture could make their applications.

The awarding ceremony has been held continuously since 1996.

Rare Books

Rare Books on Hindu Religion, Culture and Tamil Literature are reprinted by the Department. 21 Rare Books have reprinted band published since 1981.

Year Name of the Book Editor Publisher
2010 Sivavikirakaviyal Prof. P. Gobalakrishna Iyar
2009 Thandiyalankaram
Thirukkarasipuranam

Mr. Sri Pirasanthan
Mr. K. Raguparan
2008 Menmakkal Sarithiram Biramasri S.
Ratnasamy Iyar
Mr. K. Shanmugalingam
2007 Raguvamsam Biramasri S.
Ganeshaiyar
Mr. Sri Pirasanthan
2006 Elanaddu Tamil Pulavar
Saritham
Biramasri S.
Ganeshaiyar
Mr. K. Raguparan
2005 Nallur Sinnathamby Pulavar
Birapanthankal

Mr. K. Raguparan
2003 Sivagnanapotha Vasanalankara
Theepan
Sri Kasi Senthil Nathaiyar Prof. S. Krishnarajah
2002 Bharatha Ammanai
Dr. S. R. Kamalanathan
2001 Thiruvarudpayan Mr. K. Sivapathasundaram
2000 Verugal Sri Sithira Velayuthar Kathal Gnanasironmani R. Vadivel
1999 Yapperunklak Karikai
Mr. K. Raguparan
1998 Varatha Panditham Mr. K. Raguparan
1997 Thirukonasala Puranam Mr. A. Shanmuga Ratnasarma
1996 Arumuganavalar Pirapanthath
Thiraddu Kathiramalaippallu
Nallur T. Kailasapillai
Muthukumarasamy P. Kumarasamy
1995 Thadchana Kailasa Puranam I
Thadchana Kailasa Puranam II
Yalpana Vaipava Malai
Prof. S. Pathmanathan
Prof. S. Pathmanathan
Muthaliyar K. Sabanathan

1993 Konesar Kalveddu Pandit R. Vadivel
1991 Swami Vipulananda Mr. K. Kanapathippillai
1987 Mathankasulamani Swamy Vipulananda
1981 Studies and Translation Sir Ponnampalam Arunasalam

Pannpadu

The Panpadu is a publication published and distributed among the Hindu community once in four months in the year. This publication contains articles on Hindu Philosophy, Tamil Literature, Tamil Arts, Inscriptions, critical review of Literature, Sociology, and Humanity etc. The first publication was in the year 1981 and up to now 39 issues were in the hands of Hindu community.

Gopuram

Gopuram is a quarterly journal of this Department. This publication contains the research and religious articles, news items relating to the Department as well as the Hindu community the first edition was published in the year 1980 and so far19 publications have come out. Thenpulolyyur Mr. M. Kanapathipillai who was an eminent scholar was the Editor of this publication from the year 1982 to 1986 and Mr. Kumar Vadivel, former Assistant Director of this Department was the Editor for the year 1989. Mr. M. Sanmuhanathan, Assistant Director of our Department was the Editor for the period from 1990 to 2006. Mr. S. Theivanayagam who was the Assistant Director of this Department was the Editor for the period from 2007 to 2008 and presently Mrs. Thevakumary Haran, Senior Research Officer of this Department is the Editor for this publication.

Almanac

Hindu Almanac is published by the Department in April, prior to the Hindu New Year for the last 19 years. Most of the Sri Lankan Hindu public is in the habit of referring the Almanac for their auspicious occasions. Mr. S. Theivanayagam, the Assistant Director has compiled this booklet so far.

Aranery Books

The books prescribed for Aranery schools are printed and issued to the students of the Aranery schools.

  • History of Saivism
  • Saints and leaders of religious movement
  • The twelve scared books of Saivism
  • Vedhah & Ahamah
  • Model paper book for Aranery final exam
  • Model paper book for Dharmachchiriyar exam
  • Saivapothini – Primary, lower, medium & upper division
  • Avaiyar arivu selvam
  • Pannirumatha Ninaivuka

Hindu Encyclopedia

A major project carried out by the Department is compiling and publishing the volumes of Hindu Encyclopedia. Articles in connection with Hindu Religion, Hindu Philophy culture, Art, Rituals, Hindu Saints are included in these volumes.

Relevant articles are written by Local and Indian Scholars.

10 Volumes have been already published by the Department

Hindu Encyclopedia Volume Year No. of Articles Letters
I 1990 670 'அ - ஈ'
II 1992 400 'உ – ஒள'
III 1996 149 'க'
IV 1998 172 'கா – கௌ'
V 2000 111 'ச – சா'
VI 2003 111 'சி – சௌ'
VII 2005 205 'ஞா – தி'
VIII 2006 160 'தி – தோ'
IX 2007 130 'ந – நௌ'
X 2009 150 'ப - பௌ'

Purchase of books from Sri Lankan Authors

To encourage the Sri Lankan Tamil writes books on Hindu Culture and Tamil Literature written by them are purchased by the Department; such books are selected by a panel of members and recommended for purchase.

The project is being carried out by the Department since 1998. The purchased books are packed and distributed to the school and public libraries.

Non Brahmin Hindu Priests

A two week residential Training Programme for Non Brahmins Hindu Priest is organized by the Department annually. The scholars of Tamil Nadu are invited to conduct this training course. The Basic rituals of Hindu Temples are trained during this course.

Hindu Youth Training

A residential Spiritual Training Programme is conducted for Hindu Youth, for a period of 5 – 7 days annually in a district. It is arranged to built up the moral values of the Hindu youth with the collaboration of Hindu Sevasagam, a volunteer Religious Organization.

Registration application form Click here

“Dayata Kirula”

The Exhibition titled “Dayata Kirula” is conducted in a grand level commencing on the 4th of February every year under the Dayata Kirula combined Development programme. Our Department is also taking part under the stall allocated for the Ministry. Our Department activities, Religious festivals will be exhibited and the Departmental Publications would also be placed in the Exhibition.

Punniyagrammam Project

Under Mahinda Chindana programme this Punniya Grama Project is carried out in every district to uplift the moral value of the people in the rural areas.

Nandhi Flag

The Nandi Flag is considered as the Symbol of Hindu Religion. The Department prints and distributes these flags to Hindu Temples and Hindu Organizations for the purpose of hoisting and decorations. By Submitting a request letter and a programme notice the temple authorities can request for these flag.

Aranery Schools

Various titles of reference books for the promotion of Aranery Schools are printed by the department. Such books are issued free on the basis of the number of children.

Uniforms

The Aranery School children requested to wear uniform when they attend the school. The department issue uniform materials for the boys & girls separately and also the male & female teachers of Aranery Schools are requested to wear uniforms for these classes. Sarees for female teachers & Weshti & shirt materials for male teachers are issued free by the department

Musical Instruments

In order to facilitate the collective prayer the musical instruments such as Suruthi boxes and Thalam were supplied to the Aranery schools.

Administrative Records

The following administrative records are printed and supplied to the Aranery schools.

  • Attendance Register for Aranery school
    An attendance register is printed & distributed to the Aranery Schools to mark the attendance of the children. These registers are issued free of charge.
  • Syllabus & Teachers’ guide book
    The syllabus & teachers’ guide book for the Aranery Schools is designed by the department, issued free to the teachers in charge of Aranery School.
  • Record book
    The record book for each Aranery School is distributed by the department for the purpose of maintaining the records of books, furniture, equipments etc.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 26 April 2022 00:50 )