Chennai, July 7, 2013: It has over 38,451 temples, besides a large number of mutts and other institutions under its control and since the last four years, the state Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR & CE) department has brought under its administration three major temples including Lord Nataraja temple in Chidambaram.

The latest to come under HR&CE control is  Sri Anjaneya temple at Nanganallur. There are several writs flooding various courts in the state asking the HR & CE department to take over temples. “We normally don’t interfere with the administration of private temples. But in most cases, the in-fighting and embezzlement often make the department to step in to protect the interests of  devotees,” says a senior official.

While the Nataraj temple was brought under the ambit of the department after prolonged legal battle and appointing an executive officer following allegedly malpractices, the heritage temple of Sri Jalakanteswar in Vellore Fort was taken over following a ruling of the Madras high court. 

The Jalakanteswar temple, built during the Vijayanagar period, was vandalized in 17th century and worship came to an end thereafter and later it was declared an ancient monument under the An­cient

Monuments Pre­se­rv­ation Act, 1904, and br­ought under control of the ASI. However, the Hindu Munnani, which was instrumental in reviving worship at this heritage temple, has been opposing the HR & CE move.

Meanwhile, devotees of  Sri Anjaneya temple, Nanganallur, are shell-shocked over the department’s move. “Some of the priests have been provided good salaries and education aid for their wards besides accommodation. Many devotees volunteered to regulate the crowd on a regular basis. But this friendly ambience is likely to disappear as it has been brought under the purview of the department,” says Ramesh of Nanganallur. 

A senior leader in the BJP say though the party, supported by many organisations have been opposing the administration of temples by the government, it is time the party seriously educated people that “Devaalayo Rakshati Rakshitaha” (those protecting Abode of God, will be protected).

Source: Deccan Chronicle, DT. July 7, 2013.