The TVK-led Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras High Court that it has officially dropped the proposed ₹100-crore Vallalar International Centre project at Vadalur in Cuddalore district, bringing an end to a contentious proposal that had faced sustained opposition from followers of Saint Ramalinga Swamigal, popularly known as Vallalar.
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department told a Division Bench comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and S. Soundar that the project, proposed on the Peruveli land (Site A) adjoining the Sathya Gnana Sabhai, would not be pursued. The court also directed the authorities to restore the land to its original condition and protect the 71-acre property from encroachments by constructing a compound wall.
The Vallalar International Centre was conceived during the previous DMK government amid strong opposition from the Sanmarga Sangam and Vallalar devotees, who objected to constructing the centre on the sacred Peruveli land at Vadalur.
When the batch of cases came up for hearing before the Division Bench, the HR&CE Department informed the court that the project at the Peruveli had been dropped.
Reportedly, on July 30, the HR&CE counsel further informed the court that the 71-acre land belonging to the Sathya Gnana Sabhai would be protected from encroachments by constructing a compound wall around the property. Recording the submission, the High Court directed the authorities to fill the pits already dug for the abandoned international centre project and restore the land to its original condition.
However, the judges observed that the government’s decision to establish a library, yoga centre and old-age home at an alternative location was a matter of policy. The High Court permitted the authorities to immediately begin constructing the compound wall around the 71-acre property and adjourned the hearing by four weeks. Following the court proceedings, devotees reportedly burst crackers to celebrate the development.
It may be recalled that the previous DMK government had planned to construct the Vallalar International Centre on about 70 acres of Peruveli land, also known as the Sathya Gnana Sabhai campus, at an estimated cost of ₹100 crore. A Government Order was issued on October 5, 2023. However, local residents and Vallalar followers opposed the proposal. The project envisaged facilities including a library, auditorium, yoga centre and old-age home, with the government stating that the annual Jyothi Darshan at the Sathya Gnana Sabhai would not be affected.
In October 2024, while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the project, a special bench of the Madras High Court comprising Justices R. Suresh Kumar and S. Soundar passed an interim order citing procedural lapses in obtaining the required approvals. The bench permitted the authorities to proceed with constructing other facilities, including a Siddha clinic and an old-age home, at an alternative Site (B), located about one kilometre away from the Peruveli land, while holding that the procedure adopted for Site (A) had been violated.
In January 2025, a Division Bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Sudhansu Dhulia and Vinod Chandra passed an interim order while hearing a petition filed by Vinoth Raghavendran challenging the state’s project. The petitioner contended that the project was contrary to Vallalar’s principles and wishes.
The petitioner argued that “the construction of an international centre at the Vadalur Vallalar temple is not only illegal but also against the wishes of Vallalar. A spiritual place cannot be commercialised claiming betterment of the poor and the court should consider this.”
Temple activist T.R. Ramesh, in a post on X, welcomed the government’s decision, stating: “Congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Chief Minister Joseph Vijay for informing Madras High Court that the so-called ‘International Vallalar Centre’ project mooted by the DMK government at an estimated cost of ₹100 crores has been dropped. This white elephant project was far removed from the noble Saivite principles propagated by Saint Ramalinga Swamigal, popularly known as Vallalar.”
He further alleged that the HR&CE Department had projected images of Vallalar without the sacred ash on his forehead, calling it a deliberate insult to devotees. He also urged the HR&CE Minister to immediately remove the Executive Officer of the Vadalur Sathya Gnana Sabhai, alleging irregularities in the officer’s appointment.
Hindu Munnani, in a post on X, described the development as a victory for the sentiments of Vallalar’s followers. The organisation said that constructing a compound wall around the 71.24-acre property, as directed by the High Court, would help preserve the sanctity of the site. It also urged the government to protect and maintain places associated with religious and spiritual sages without altering their character.
Former Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi had attended Vallalar’s 200th birth anniversary celebrations at Vadalur on October 5, 2023, as the Chief Guest and praised the saint-philosopher. However, his interpretation of Vallalar’s ideology subsequently triggered a political controversy between the state government and the Governor’s office.
