Chennai: A refresher course to improve the skills of bhattacharyas (priests) of Vaishnavite temples in the Chennai zone began this afternoon at Sri Mahalakshmi Temple, popularly referred to as Ashtalakshmi Temple, in Besant Nagar.

According to a note from the temple thakkar and assistant commissioner, M Jothi Lakshmi, and executive officer T Chandrasekaran, the six-week course will run till 9 March 2019.

It will be conducted from 1 pm to 2 pm and resume after a short break of 10 minutes from 2.10 pm to 3 pm.

The course, being conducted under the auspices of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamilnadu government, will be handled by bhattacharyas who have mastered the agamas sastras that deal with temple rituals, adds the note.

Photo: A R Jayakumar