Madurai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has criticised the Tamil Nadu government’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department for neglecting the proper upkeep and maintenance of temples under its control. The court’s sharp remarks came during a hearing on the famous Rameswaram Ramanatha Swamy Temple, highlighting the department’s focus on revenue collection at the expense of temple care.
The court likened the HR & CE Department’s functioning to that of “Vasool Raja MBBS jobs,” a reference implying that the department is more focused on extracting revenue than addressing temple needs, such as filling crucial vacancies. This came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Yanai Rajendran, who called for the immediate filling of vacant posts for priests and officers at the Rameswaram temple.
Rajendran highlighted that the Rameswaram temple, one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant spiritual centers, generates over Rs 90 crore annually but has neglected essential staffing requirements. According to regulations, the temple should employ 12 priests and 19 assistant priests. However, only 2 priests and 7 assistants currently manage temple rituals. Rajendran further pointed out that 42 key positions, including Bhagavatars, remain vacant, affecting daily poojas and rituals.
The bench, comprising Justices R Subramanian and Lekshmana Chandra Victoria Gowri, questioned the HR & CE Department about the sanctioned and actual staffing at the temple. They also requested detailed reports on the temple’s income and expenditures, ordering the department to submit a comprehensive account of its financial and operational management.
The court’s directive is seen as an important step toward ensuring the proper functioning of one of Tamil Nadu’s oldest and most revered temples, particularly with its large influx of devotees.
Fee Hike Controversy at Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple
Meanwhile, the HR & CE Department is facing backlash over a recent fee hike at another major temple, the Subramania Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur. The temple, one of the six sacred abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Murugan, announced a Rs 1,000 fee for “quick darshan” during the upcoming Kanda Shashti festival, which runs from 2 to 9 November 2024. The decision, aimed at easing congestion in lower-priced and free darshan queues, has sparked outrage among devotees.
Devotees criticized the move, arguing that the temple, which generates substantial monthly revenue, should not impose additional financial burdens on worshippers. One devotee pointed out that while the temple earns Rs 3 crore per month, only a small fraction is spent on improving facilities for devotees. “The introduction of these fees only serves to prevent larger numbers of devotees from attending,” said another outraged devotee.
Facing stiff opposition, the temple administration quickly withdrew the Rs 1,000 fee, stating that they would consider public suggestions and objections before making a final decision. This marks the second time the temple has faced backlash over rising darshan fees. In 2023, there were reports of significant increases in various darshan fees, with Abhishekam Darshan going from Rs 500 to Rs 3,000 and Vishwarupa Darshan from Rs 100 to Rs 2,000. Quick darshan fees also surged from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000, following a 2017 government order authorising these increases during Kanda Sashti.
Hindu Munnani, a Hindu nationalist organisation, condemned the recent fee hike. State vice president VP Jayakumar called for the temple management to reconsider, noting that the temple had collected over Rs 5.15 crore in just the past 45 days through Hundiyal (offerings). “The temple management should prioritise the concerns of devotees and avoid hiking darshan fees,” he added.
Growing Debate Over Government Control of Temples
The court’s sharp remarks and the controversy over fee hikes have reignited a broader debate over government control of temples. Many argue that temple management under government bodies like HR & CE prioritizes revenue over religious and cultural responsibilities. The recent scandals, including the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam) controversy over adulterated ghee used in temple rituals, have further fueled calls for temples to be freed from government control.
In Tamil Nadu, temples such as Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, the Palani Murugan Temple, and others have also seen similar fee hikes and controversies, prompting protests and growing demands for reforms in temple management.
