ELIGILITY CRITERIA

1. Archakas must be doing Pooja in village Temples and without 'Murai'.
2. The total income of the Archakas should not exceed Rs.7500/- per month.
3. The Temple should have been in existence before 1940.
4. The conduct and character of the Archaka should be good.

OUTLINE OF THE SCHEME

1. Call for enrolment for the tests is given as a news item during Aug/Sept every year.
2. Maha Periyava has prescribed a 'minimum syllbus' seperately for Bhattacharyas, Sivacharyas and Poojaries. Accordingly, Archakas have to memorise Poojavidhanam and Hymns and pass an oral Test held at various centres in Tamilnadu. Travel and food expenses are reimbursed.
3. Eligibility criteria of successful Archakas is confirmed only after visits to their respective temples.
4. Those selected for monthly aid by the Trust have to recite every day at least ten hymns, observe the Poojavidhanam in Temples and send Anusha Prasadam every month.
5. They have to send twice a year self-certificate regarding the performance of their duties.
6. Periodically, Surprise Inspection visits are also made to the Temples of the beneficiaries.

CORPUS FUND AND DONATIONS

To implement this scheme, the Great Acharya has also directed as follows:

1. The Trust should build up its Corpus Fund only through donations and not by any other means viz. charity shows, music or dance performances, souvenirs etc.
2. Every devotee having faith in Indian heritage and receiving a gross income of Rs.4,000/- per month or more, should offer his/her one month's gross Income, atleast once in a life-time for this noble cause.
3. Those earning less than Rs.4,000/- per month may donate their mite.

There are more than 30,000 Temples in Tamilnadu. To assist the deserving Archakas from amongst these Temples, a Corpus Fund of at least Rs. 30 Crores will be the requirement.