186-ft Murugan statue proposed at Thindal Velayudhaswamy temple in Erode

Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) P.K. Sekar Babu and Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy on Sunday (July 13, 2025) inspected the site at Velayudhaswamy Temple in Thindal, Erode district, where a 186-ft statue of Lord Murugan is proposed to be constructed.

The Ministers also reviewed renovation works at the temple.

Mr. Sekar Babu told reporters 3,325 temples across the State had undergone consecration ceremonies so far, including 124 Murugan temples. The number is expected to reach 3,500 by the year-end.

He said ₹1,120 crore has been allocated to the HR&CE Department as government grants since 2021 — the highest to date. Major renovation works are under way at Palani (₹98 crore and ₹58 crore in two phases), Tiruchendur (₹416 crore from temple, donor, and government funds), Tiruttani (₹98 crore), and lift facilities at Marudhamalai and Swamimalai temples.

The renovation at Tiruchendur is 70% complete and scheduled to be finished by October this year. Additional projects include a hill path at Tiruttani (₹67 crore) and road widening at Siruvapuri (₹57 crore).

The Minister said Murugan statues are planned at Thindal, Marudhamalai, and Thimiri. Sculptors are being sent to study similar statues abroad. Once completed, these statues will stand as markers of the current administration’s efforts.

According to Mr. Sekar Babu, donor-funded temple works have scaled up under the current government, with contributions totalling ₹1,400 crore so far.

Minister Muthusamy said the 186-ft Murugan statue in Thindal will be built using cement, with a 3.5-ft granite base, and placed on a 50-ft hill, bringing the total height to 240 ft. It is expected to be the tallest Murugan statue in Asia. To accommodate increased footfall, two wedding halls, renovation of the Siva shrine, and Rajagopuram restoration are also under way, funded by donors.