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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. 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. 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. 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
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. Certification in the application form by the Grama Niladari and the Divisional Secretary of the area is compulsory. 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. A request should be made by the Aranery school. The amount of Rs. 30,000 is allocated for each schools for this purpose. 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. 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.Temple Renovation
Hindu Orphanages Promotion of Activities
Purchase of Furniture for Aranery
Organization Renovation
Special Allowance for Aranery Teachers
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. Hindu final Examination workshop is conducted on the following topics. Aranery Students General Knowledge Exam
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. 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. 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 following documents to be annexed along with the letter. Certification by the Grama Niladhari, Divisional Secretary / District Secretary Application form Click here 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. 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. Application form Click hereEntry visa
Residential visa
Waiver of Customs Duty
Import Flowers
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. 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.Hindu Priest and Monks
Iyappan Pilgrims
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 Seminars are conducted annually by the Department of various titles and submit research papers. These research papers and compiled and published as Departmental publications. 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. 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.Art & Architecture
Research
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
Aranery Teachers & Student
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. 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.Pannisai
Saivasiththantham
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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.Hindu Lecture
Thaipongal
National Day
MahaSivarathi
Tamil, Sinhala New Year
Navarathri
Deepavali
Guru Pooja
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 on Hindu Religion, Culture and Tamil Literature are reprinted by the Department. 21 Rare Books have reprinted band published since 1981. 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 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. 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. The books prescribed for Aranery schools are printed and issued to the students of the Aranery schools. 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 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.Rare Books
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 IyarMr. K. Shanmugalingam
2007
Raguvamsam
Biramasri S.
GaneshaiyarMr. Sri Pirasanthan
2006
Elanaddu Tamil Pulavar
SarithamBiramasri S.
GaneshaiyarMr. K. Raguparan
2005
Nallur Sinnathamby Pulavar
Birapanthankal
Mr. K. Raguparan
2003
Sivagnanapotha Vasanalankara
TheepanSri 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 KathiramalaippalluNallur T. Kailasapillai
Muthukumarasamy P. Kumarasamy
1995
Thadchana Kailasa Puranam I
Thadchana Kailasa Puranam II
Yalpana Vaipava MalaiProf. 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
Gopuram
Almanac
Aranery Books
Hindu Encyclopedia
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
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. 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.Non Brahmin Hindu Priests
Hindu Youth Training
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.“Dayata Kirula”
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.Punniyagrammam Project
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. 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. 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 In order to facilitate the collective prayer the musical instruments such as Suruthi boxes and Thalam were supplied to the Aranery schools. The following administrative records are printed and supplied to the Aranery schools.Nandhi Flag
Aranery Schools
Uniforms
Musical Instruments
Administrative Records
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.