“As big temples are still closed for more than three months, the HR & CE department, to keep devotees engaged, has decided to launch the channel during the lockdown. Through the TV channel, devotees will get to know about the historic details of all the temples,” said an official attached to HR&CE, on request of anonymity. Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, in the floor of Assembly, while announcing a series of reforms for HR&CE department on March 24 this year, announced that the State will launch a channel at an estimated cost of Rs 8.77 crore.

However, as the places of worship, including big temples, were closed from March 24 owing to lockdown in the State, the process of launching the channel was not possible. As the situation is likely to continue in the coming months, the HR&CE department has decided to engage its devotees.

“Daily prayers are still going in temples and only devotees are barred from attending the proceedings. Video of the temple proceedings will be recorded and will be sent for telecasting,” said the official. HR&CE commissionerate has issued a series of instructions to Executive Officers (EOs) of all temples about the content of the videos to be taken.