Latest news with #Saiva
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Saiva Siddhantham courses popular in HR&CE-run colleges
Saiva Siddhantham courses that include studies on the origin and development of Saiva religions, aspects of Saiva temple worship, rituals and festivals are an added attraction at colleges being run by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department on behalf of temples in the State. 'We run a six-month-long certificate course, which anybody can join. This is a very popular one, especially in the four new colleges started at Kolathur, Oddanchathiram, Thiruchengodu and Vilathikulam. Since there is no age bar and the classes happen in the weekends, students find it convenient,' explained an official source in the HR&CE. All the nine colleges being run by the department have applied for affiliation for the B.A. Saiva Siddhantham course. 'Of these, seven have obtained affiliation for the course and have started distributing application forms. Apart from arts and science courses, students seem to have a liking for this course too,' said P. K. Sekarbabu, Minister for HR&CE. The nine colleges, which include a polytechnic, have close to 12,300 seats and the four new colleges seem to be more popular than the existing institutions. Four of them are being run on self-financing mode, meaning they are funded by the respective temples and the others are aided. 'In the last four years we have followed only government norms when it comes to fees. We have not increased the fee amount for our schools and colleges since the poorest of poor come here. For the past two years, we have also been able to get companies to come for campus recruitments,' he added.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
‘Saiva Siddhanta shaped Tamil identity': Union Health Minister JP Nadda
CHENNAI: BJP national president and Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Saturday said 'Saiva Siddhanta', deeply rooted in Tamil soil, has significantly shaped Tamil identity through its profound emphasis on devotion, virtue and liberation by divine grace. He was delivering the inaugural address at the sixth international Saiva Siddhanta Conference held near Chennai. The event was jointly organised by Thiru Kailaya Parambarai Dharmapuram Adheenam, the International Institute of Saiva Siddhanta Research (Dharmapuram), and the Tamil Academy of SRM University. 'Saiva Siddhanta is not just a religious philosophy but a civilisational ethos. It teaches the connection between the soul, God and the world,' Nadda said. He hailed Tamil Nadu as a 'blessed land' enriched by Sangam poets and Saiva saints who nurtured this spiritual tradition through works like 'Thevaram' and 'Thiruvasagam' which echo the ageless devotion of ancestors and continue to inspire spiritual seekers. 'In an era increasingly dominated by materialism, 'Saiva Siddhanta' calls upon humanity to awaken to its divine nature, recognising that God dwells within each being,' Nadda said. He also released a special souvenir to mark the occasion, and Governor R N Ravi received the first copy. BJP state president Nainar Nagenthran participated in the event. Later, Nadda chaired a core committee meeting of the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit. According to sources, Nadda told the state leaders to begin the groundwork for the 2026 election and strengthen organisational activities. In a post on platform X, Nadda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to the development of Tamil Nadu and preservation of Tamil culture. BJP workers are actively engaging in door-to-door campaign to raise awareness about the centre's schemes, he added.
