The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu, now in its fourth year in power, is facing mounting criticism over alleged anti-Hindu sentiments and mismanagement of temples governed by the Minister for Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department. Several Hindu organisations and political parties have raised concerns over deteriorating temple conditions, financial irregularities, and controversial public statements by party leaders.
Tamil Nadu is home to 44,121 temples under the HR&CE department, many of them centuries old. Devotees across the state have voiced growing alarm over the neglected condition of these temples. A striking example is the century-old Selva Vinayagar Temple in Palakkarai, which has reportedly gone without any maintenance or a Kumbabhishekam (consecration ceremony) for the past 30 years. This prolonged neglect has triggered calls for immediate restoration and spiritual revitalisation of the temple.
Such neglect stands in stark contrast to the wealth of resources temples hold. Collectively, they own nearly 4.78 lakh acres of land and over 22,600 buildings. However, despite these substantial assets, the rent collected between July 2022 and March 2023 was a mere ₹117.63 crore. This glaring mismatch has raised serious questions about the efficiency and transparency of revenue management under the current administration.
Temple Land Encroachment and Financial Concerns
In addition to poor upkeep, land encroachment remains a major issue. Temples like the historic Sri Varaguna Pandeeswarar and Sri Nellaiappar in Tirunelveli have reportedly lost thousands of acres to illegal occupation. Shockingly, critics allege that even government departments are among those encroaching on temple properties.
The financial mismanagement doesn’t end there. Concerns have been raised about the misuse of temple assets, underpayment of temple staff, and the opaque handling of temple finances. In a revealing interview, retired police officer Pon Manickavel disclosed that priests at Pullamangai Temple in Thanjavur earn just ₹300 a month. Meanwhile, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has criticised the HR&CE department for revenue waste and lack of transparency in disclosing documentation related to temple assets.
Devotee Discomfort and Mismanagement
Such issues have a direct impact on devotees. Many temples lack basic amenities such as clean drinking water, functional restrooms, and shaded waiting areas. During peak seasons and festivals, poor crowd management often leads to chaotic scenes. At prominent pilgrimage centres like Thiruvannamalai and Thiruchendur, devotees have reported fainting and waiting for hours to receive prasadam.
Frustration is growing even over darshan procedures. A rickshaw driver from Thiruvannamalai alleged that despite the official darshan options being free or priced at ₹50, some individuals demand ₹1,000 for faster entry through alternate gates. He suggested that if the government were to legalise and regulate such tiered access, it could bring transparency and funnel that revenue back into temple improvements.
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