Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Seva Trust

Basic Information

• Name: Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Seva Trust — Registered No. 7-2020.
• Location / Registered Office: Thekkanthiruvilai, Kandanvilai Post, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu – 629810.
• Contact: Mobile +91 8807060754; Email: mbastkk@gmail.com
• Website: https://mandaikadu.com/
• “Jai Shri Ram Amme Saranam..! Dhevi Saranam..!” — signalling devotion + service.

🎯 Major Service Activities

The Trust has a number of service initiatives (seva) which are publicly listed on its website. Some of the key ones:

1. Mahaa Annadhaana (Food-Donation) Service
   • In its home location (Mandaikadu): since 2017, the Trust organises a large annadhaana during the 10-day “Masi” festival of the local temple. Around 4 lakh (400,000) persons have been provided food so far.
   • At Tiruchendur: from 2024 onwards, they extend a food service for the pilgrims walking the “Padha-Yathra” route, between 10 a.m.–4 p.m. near Puthukkinaru (Sathankulam).
2. Dr. Hedgewar Ambulance Service
   • Since 2020 the Trust runs a 24-hour ambulance service (with freezer box facilities) across four key areas of the district, at an affordable cost.
3. Shri Guru Ji Guruthi Dhaana Seva
   • Since 2023: a blood donation service, which has served over 1,000 individuals.
4. Sri Deoras Ji Diwali Seva
   • Launched 2023: To enable under-privileged families to celebrate Diwali — laying out crackers, clothes, sweets.
5. Mausi Ji Bhojan Seva
   • Also from 2023: ensures that on festival occasions appropriate food/clothing/sweets reach families facing hardship.
6. Vedha Vyaasaa Educational Seva
   • (i) Educational Support: helping students with learning enhancement (62 students benefitted so far); (ii) Higher-Education Guidance: camps held for students — 660 students participated across 7 camps.
7. Harichandra Public Crematorium Service
   • Since 2021: Provides dignified cremation services (with formal rites) for individuals without family support or financial means. So far 38 persons have been served.
8. Kumari Dhanashakti Nidhi Ltd.
   • Since 2020: A financial-development initiative (a “bank” or fund) established by 108 shareholders, operating at two locations, aiming to promote economic development in the local community.
9. Maathru Dhayaa (Women’s Welfare Organisation)
   • Since 2023: Focused on welfare of women, especially widows and abandoned women: health awareness, financial assistance, cultural events.
10. Dhanalakshmi Tamil New Year Seva
    • Since 2023: On Tamil New Year eve, prasadam of the Goddess, “Chithirai Kai Neetam” offered at the temple, extended to under-privileged communities in surrounding areas.
11. Foundation / Infrastructure Plan: Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Seva Foundation
    • Since 2024: The Trust is planning to acquire about 1.2 acres of land near the temple to build a marriage hall and a permanent annadhaana facility. Membership registration is underway.

📌 Significance & Context

• The location of the Trust is very closely tied to the nearby famous shrine, Mandaikadu in Kanyakumari district, where the Mandaikadu Bhagavathi Amman Temple (sometimes called “Women’s Sabarimala”) is located. Obviously the Trust’s activities support the devotees and community around that shrine.
• The Trust’s services range beyond just religious/temple-support: they include health/ambulance, education, women’s welfare, economic upliftment, cremation services etc. This indicates a broad community service outlook rather than purely ritual support.
• The building of permanent infrastructure (annadhaana hall + marriage hall) signals a long-term vision for sustained service and support for devotees and local community.

✅ Why it’s a worthwhile initiative

• It bridges devotional practice with social service: For example, providing free meals during big festivals meets both spiritual and humanitarian aims.
• It targets underserved areas/populations: e.g., the ambulance service, crematorium service for those without means — areas often neglected.
• The wide range of sevas means it touches many segments: students, women, financially-weak families, pilgrims, community at large.
• Local relevance: The Trust is locally rooted in Kanyakumari district, which means it can respond to community needs more directly and with cultural context.
• Transparent listing of its services (on its website) gives visibility to what it does — which is good from trust & accountability viewpoint.

⚠️ Some points to note / Scope for further inquiry

• It would be useful to verify financials, annual reports, audited accounts of the Trust to assess scale, funds usage, governance.
• The registration number (7-2020) indicates it was registered in 2020; but some services claim to have begun earlier (e.g., the food service since 2017) — so checking how the Trust evolved from earlier informal group to formal entity may be interesting.
• For donors or participants: check whether 80G tax-exemption status is in force, how contributions are handled/administered. (The website mentions bank account: Federal Bank, Neyyoor Branch SB A/c 1640020000461 IFSC: FDRL0001640; 80G No: AAGTM7512FF20241)
• The Trust appears to have multiple affiliated bodies (foundation, bank/nidhi, women’s org) — clarity on governance, overlap, independence may be beneficial for transparency.