Temple lands officially marked under HR&CE in Tamil Nadu

Temple lands getting official recognition in Tamil Nadu

Temple lands officially marked under HR&CE in Tamil Nadu : A major milestone was recently reached in Tamil Nadu’s temple administration. A boundary stone was laid to mark 2,00,001 acres of land belonging to temples governed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. This symbolic act took place near Sriperumbudur, signifying the department’s efforts to secure temple properties officially.

Tamil Nadu has thousands of temples with large tracts of land, many of which were unmarked or poorly documented for decades. These lands are essential not only for the temple’s functioning but also for generating income for rituals, maintenance, and festivals.

Project that began in 2012 now sees tangible progress

The process to identify and demarcate temple lands under HR&CE control was launched on September 8, 2012, at Kapaleeswarar temple in Chennai. This move aimed to protect temple assets from encroachment and legal disputes.

Over the years, the project slowly progressed across the state. A notable milestone came on January 25, 2023, when the 1,00,001-acre mark was reached. The commemorative stone was placed at Tiruvallur, specifically on land owned by the Sri Bhavani Amman temple in Periyapalayam.

Ensuring transparency and legal protection

Marking these lands with physical boundary stones has significant benefits. It helps the government and the public recognize the land’s ownership. It also creates a legal shield against encroachment and illegal sale or lease of temple property. For instance, once a boundary stone is placed, it becomes easier to pursue legal action if the land is trespassed.

Such steps also improve recordkeeping in temple administration, which is often accused of inefficiency. Accurate land data will help with better rent collection and resource management.

Static facts about HR&CE and temple lands

The HR&CE Department of Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest religious administrative bodies in India. It governs over 44,000 temples, including major temples like Madurai Meenakshi, Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy, and Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar. The department manages land, finances, rituals, festivals, and even staff appointments at many temples.

Marking over 2 lakh acres is a significant step in protecting temple heritage and ensuring temples continue to serve their religious and cultural roles.

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