In the wake of the alleged fraudulent registration of a 1.4-acre parcel of land worth around ₹100 crore belonging to the Arulmigu Dhandayudapani Swami Mutt in Palani, the HR&CE department has launched a comprehensive review of temple properties across the state.Speaking to The Times of India, S Ramesh, HR&CE minister said the CB-CID probe into the case is nearing completion. “Once we get the report, action will be taken against those responsible,” he said.He explained that on Wednesday he formed a committee to collate details about property belonging to Palani temple, followed by the Arupadai Veedu temples and later 50 major temples that own vast land parcels. “In most cases, the base document will be in the temple’s name, but we have to verify the Updation of Revenue Records (UDR) patta and ascertain what is happening on these lands, whether they are being used for farming, commercial activity or otherwise,” Ramesh told TOI.The exercise will also examine encroachments, lease violations and whether rents are being paid on time. Appropriate action will be taken against those found to have misused temple properties, he said, while asserting that land granted as inam to farmers and lawful occupants would not be taken back. “Not an inch of temple will be allowed to be usurped. I am not bothered about political criticism. I remain accountable only to god, the people of Tamil Nadu, and the chief minister, C Joseph Vijay,” the minister said.Outlining his vision for the department, he said the focus over the coming years would be on four key areas: improving facilities for devotees, modernising temple administration, strengthening the welfare of temple employees, and conserving temple heritage and properties.A major thrust of the department’s plans is improving crowd management through technology. Ramesh said a web-based portal, modelled on systems followed at Tirumala Tirupati, is being developed to provide a single digital interface for devotees. The platform will initially cover around 50 major temples before being expanded across the state.“It is taking time because every temple has different pooja schedules and rituals,” he said. Devotees will be able to book darshan slots online and visit at their allotted time. The portal will also integrate prasadam booking and the purchase of HR&CE publications through a single QR code. A pilot project is expected within the next three to four months at Vadapalani and Tiruttani temples, with one more temple in Tiruchirappalli being identified.The department is also planning a dedicated break darshan for senior citizens, disabled devotees and those with infants. Those who book and arrive on time will be taken directly to the main shrine without delay. Ramesh said the department also plans to replace the multiple paid darshan categories with just two options — free darshan and paid darshan. The fee for the latter is yet to be decided. “We need paid darshan now to improve the financial position of the respective temple. Later, when the situation improves, it can be scrapped,” he said.On temple infrastructure, the minister said the department was not in favour of unnecessary commercialisation. “Temple funds must be spent where there is genuine need. There is no point constructing an expensive parking structure at a temple that receives only a few hundred devotees a day,” he said.The initial focus will be on equipping 50 major temples with improved drinking water facilities, toilets, feeding rooms for mothers, resting areas, transport facilities and, wherever justified by heavy footfall, multi-level car parking. The model will later be extended to other temples.The department has also identified 200 dilapidated shrines for restoration and the resumption of poojas. More than 19,000 temples currently conduct only one pooja a day because of financial and manpower constraints. The government plans to provide incentives to ensure poojas are held three times a day and improve the welfare of archakas, odhuvars and gramapoojaris by extending existing welfare schemes to more temples. It also plans to revive 100 temple tanks across the state.
