Editing Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (section)

== History ==
In 1923, ''Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act'' was passed by [[Madras Presidency]]. In 1925, the Government constituted "The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board" consisting of a President and two to four Commissioners nominated by the Government to function as a statutory body. Subsequently, it was modified and in 1960 it became The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department by Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959 which came into force with effect from 28 April 1960.<ref>[http://www.tnhrce.org/hrce_act_1959.html Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959]</ref> 

From 1991, no religious and spiritual leaders are involved in maintenance and administration of the Hindu Temples and Charitable Endowments{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}. However, the maintenance and administration of the Jain temples are under the administration of Jain religious and spiritual leaders.

The act controls 36,425 temples, 56 [[Matha| mutts]] or religious orders (and 47 temples belonging to mutts), 1,721 specific endowments and 189 trusts.