Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Tamil Nadu government to maintain Hindu temples}}
{{short description|Department of the Govenrment of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox Government agency
{{Infobox government agency
|agency_name    = Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Tamil Nadu
| agency_name    = Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department
|logo            = TamilNadu Logo.svg
| logo            = TamilNadu Logo.svg
|logo_width      =
| logo_width      =  
|logo_caption    =
| logo_caption    =  
|seal            =
| seal            =  
|seal_width      =
| seal_width      =  
|seal_caption    =
| seal_caption    =  
|formed          = 1960
| formed          = 1960
|preceding1      =  
| preceding1      =  
|preceding2      =
| preceding2      =  
|dissolved      =
| dissolved      =  
|superseding    =
| superseding    =  
|jurisdiction    = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| jurisdiction    = [[Tamil Nadu]]
|headquarters    = [[Chennai]]
| headquarters    = [[Chennai]]
|employees      =
| employees      =  
|budget          =
| budget          =  
|minister1_name  =   [[P. K. Sekar Babu]]
| minister1_name  = [[P. K. Sekar Babu]]
|minister1_pfo  = Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department<ref name="admin1">{{cite news|url=http://www.tnhrce.org/admin.html|publisher=www.tnhrce.org|title= Administration|access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref>
| minister1_pfo  = Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department<ref name="HRCE_Dept">{{Cite web |title=அறநிலையத்துறை |url=https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/hrce_department.php |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Government of Tamil Nadu – Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department}}</ref>
|chief1_name    = Apurva Varma IAS  
| chief1_name    = B. Chandra Mohan [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
|chief1_position = [[Secretary to Government]]<ref name="admin1"/>
| chief1_position = [[Principal Secretary (India)|Principal Secretary]], Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments<ref name="HRCE_Dept"/>
|chief2_name    =  
| chief2_name    = J. Kumara Gurubaran [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
|chief2_position =  
| chief2_position = [[Commissioner]], HR&CE<ref name="HRCE_Dept"/>
|parent_agency  =  
| parent_agency  =  
|child1_agency  =
| child1_agency  =  
|child2_agency  =
| child2_agency  =  
|website        = https://tnhrce.gov.in/hrcehome/index.php
| website        = {{url|hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/index.php}}
|footnotes      =
| footnotes      =  
|chief3_name=|chief3_position=|chief4_name=|chief4_position=|chief5_name=|chief5_position=|chief6_name=|chief6_position=|chief7_name=|chief7_position=|chief8_name=|chief8_position=|chief9_name=|chief9_position=|parent_department=}}
| chief3_name     =  
| chief3_position =  
| chief4_name     =  
| chief4_position =  
| chief5_name     =  
| chief5_position =  
| chief6_name     =  
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| chief8_name     =  
| chief8_position =  
| chief9_name     =  
| chief9_position =  
| parent_department =  
}}


The '''Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department''' of the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] manages and controls the temple administration within the state. The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959 controls 36,425 temples, 56 [[Matha| mutts]] or religious orders (and 47 temples belonging to mutts), 1,721 specific endowments and 189 trusts.
'''Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department''' ('''HR&CE Department''') is a [[Government department|department]] under the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]], India, that handles the administration of temples in the state. Formed under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959, the department administers 46,331 properties, including 43,800 [[Hindu]] temples, 22 [[Jain]] temples, 45 [[Matha|mutts]], 69 temples attached to mutts, 1,262 charitable endowments, and 1,133 special endowments.


== History ==
== 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>  
In 1923, the ''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, with [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer]] serving as chairman.<ref>[https://hrce.tn.gov.in/resources/docs/actrule/1/1/document_1.pdf 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.
Since 1991, religious and spiritual leaders have been involved in the 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.
The act controls 36,425 temples, 56 [[matha]]s or religious orders (and 47 temples belonging to mathas), 1,721 specific endowments and 189 trusts.
 
The department's inception saw numerous companies managing their Public Relations (PR) and Social Media Management. Currently, the responsibility is entrusted to the Chennai-based branding firm, 7 miles per second, overseeing PR and Social Media Management operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to tell compelling stories and weave engaging narratives |url=https://www.edexlive.com/happening/2023/sep/05/how-to-tell-compelling-stories-and-weave-engaging-narratives-37452.html |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Edex Live |language=en}}</ref>


== Schemes ==
== Schemes ==
Annadhanam Scheme is conducted in 746 Temples and 50 to 300 devotees are provided with mid day meals after Uchikala Pooja. In every year Special Rejuvenation camp for mutt and temple elephants to maintain their balanced physical and mental health.{{clarification needed|date=October 2018}}<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palaniappan |first1=V. S. |title=Elephant rejuvenation camp begins at Thekampatti |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/elephant-rejuvenation-camp-begins-at-thekampatti/article5478990.ece |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=19 December 2013 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Spiritual and Moral Instruction classes were conducted in 485 temples by scholars. Various welfare schemes for temple employees and [[Nadhaswaram|Nathaswara]] artists were also performed by this department.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tnhrce.org/scheme.html|publisher=www.tnhrce.org|title= Schemes|access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> This department publishes an electronic magazine called ''Thiru Koil''<ref> [http://www.thirukoilmagazine.tnhrce.in ''Thiru Koil'' magazine]</ref> at its official website.
Annadhanam Scheme is conducted in 746 Temples and 50 to 300 devotees are provided with mid-day meals after Uchikala Pooja. Every year Special Rejuvenation camp is held for elephants from temples and mutts across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In 2020-2021, the 48-day long camp was held at Thekampatti on the banks of River Bhavani.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palaniappan |first1=V. S. |title=Elephant rejuvenation camp begins at Thekampatti |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/elephant-rejuvenation-camp-begins-at-thekampatti/article5478990.ece |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=19 December 2013 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Spiritual and Moral Instruction classes were conducted in 485 temples by scholars. Various welfare schemes for temple employees and [[Nadhaswaram|Nathaswara]] artists were also performed by this department.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schemes |work=Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department |publisher= |url=https://hrce.in/government-scheme/ |access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> This department publishes an electronic magazine called ''Thiru Koil''<ref>[https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/hrce_magazine.php ''Thiru Koil'' magazine]</ref> at its official website.


== Temples ==
== Temples ==
Below are the few maintained temples.
Below are a few temples maintained by the department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Temples |url=https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/temple_list.php |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Government of Tamil Nadu – Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple]], [[Thiruppullani]]
* [[Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam]]
* [[Adikesava Perumal temple, Sriperumpudur|Adikesava Perumal Temple, Sriperumpudur]]
* [[Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur]]
* [[Airavatesvara Temple]], [[Darasuram]]
* [[Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple, Thirukkadaiyur]]
* [[Angala Devi|Angala Parameswari Temple]], [[Melmalayanur]]
* [[Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur]]
* [[Annamalaiyar Temple]], [[Tiruvannamalai]]
* [[Annamalaiyar Temple]], [[Tiruvannamalai]]
* [[Meenakshi Amman Temple]], [[Madurai]]
* [[Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi]]
* [[Marudhamalai (temple)|Marudhamalai Murugan Temple]], [[Marudhamalai (temple)|Marudhamalai]]
* [[Kallazhagar Temple]], [[Alagar Koyil]]
* [[Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode]]
* [[Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode]]
* [[Koodal Azhagar Temple]], [[Madurai]]
* [[Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram|Mariamman Temple]], [[Samayapuram]]
* [[Arulmigu Munthi Vinayagar Temple|Puliakulam Munthi Vinayagar Temple, Coimbatore]]
* [[Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai|Solaimalai Murugan Temple]], [[Pazhamudircholai]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Thiruparankundram]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Subramanya Swamy Temple]], [[Tiruchendur]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Thiruttani]]
* [[Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai|Swaminatha Swamy Temple]], [[Swamimalai]]
* [[Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai]]
* [[Bhavani Sangameswarar Temple|Sangameswarar Temple]], [[Bhavani]]
* [[Bhavani Sangameswarar Temple|Sangameswarar Temple]], [[Bhavani]]
* [[Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi]]
* [[Brahmapureeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruppattur, Tiruchirappalli|Thiruppattur]]
* [[Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu]]
* [[Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram]]
* [[Tiruverkadu Devi Karumariamman Temple|Devi Karumariamman Temple]], [[Thiruverkadu]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Thiruparankundram]]
* [[Punnainallur Mariamman|Punnainallur Maariamman Temple]], [[Thanjavur]]
* [[Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur]]
* [[Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur]]
* [[Chandra Choodeswarar Temple, Hosur]]
* [[Chitragupta temple, Kanchipuram|Chitragupta Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Devanathaswamy temple]], [[Thiruvanthipuram]]
* [[Devi Kanya Kumari|Baghavathiamman Temple, Kanyakumari]]
* [[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Erumbeeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruverumbur]]
* [[Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore]]
* [[Jalantheeswarar Temple]], [[Thakkolam]]
* [[Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval]]
* [[Kabartheeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]]
* [[Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur]]
* [[Kalikambal Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Kallazhagar Temple]], [[Alagar Koyil]]
* [[Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu]]
* [[Kamakshi Amman Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam]]
* [[Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple|Kailasanathar Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Kandaswami Temple, Georgetown]]
* [[Kapaleeshwarar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Karchapeswarar Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Karumariamman Temple, Tiruverkadu]]
* [[Koniamman Temple|Arulmigu Koniamman Temple, Coimbatore]]
* [[Koodal Azhagar Temple]], [[Madurai]]
* [[Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Temple|Maha Saraswathi Temple]], [[Koothanur]]
* [[Kumarakottam Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur]]
*[[Uthirakosamangai|Mangalanatha Swamy Temple, Uthirakosamangai]]
* [[Marudhamalai (temple)|Marudhamalai Murugan Temple]], [[Marudhamalai (temple)|Marudhamalai]]
* [[Marundeeswarar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivoyal|Masilamaniswara Temple]], [[Thirumullaivoyal]]
* [[Meenakshi Amman Temple]], [[Madurai]]
* [[Nagannathaswamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam]]
* [[Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple|Anjaneyar Temple]], [[Namakkal]]
* [[Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple|Anjaneyar Temple]], [[Namakkal]]
* [[Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai|Solaimalai Murugan Temple]], [[Pazhamudircholai]]
* [[Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal]]
* [[Nellaiappar Temple]], [[Tirunelveli]]
* [[Palani Murugan Temple]], [[Palani]]
* [[Palani Murugan Temple]], [[Palani]]
* [[Uppiliappan Temple]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Parthasarathy Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Perur Pateeswarar Temple|Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore]]
* [[Punnainallur Mariamman|Punnainallur Maariamman Temple]], [[Thanjavur]]
* [[Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi]]
* [[Ramanathaswamy Temple]], [[Rameshwaram]]
* [[Ramanathaswamy Temple]], [[Rameshwaram]]
* [[Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram|Natarajar Temple]], [[Chidambaram]]
* [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai]], [[Coimbatore]]
* [[Nellaiappar Temple]], [[Tirunelveli]]
* [[Kapaleeshwarar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Parthasarathy Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Sarangapani temple|Sarangapani Temple]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Sarangapani temple|Sarangapani Temple]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Vadapalani Andavar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Sathyanatheswarar temple|Sathyanatheswarar Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Marundeeswarar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi]]
* [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur]]
* [[Shanmughanathar Temple, Kunnakudi]]
* [[Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu]]
* [[Sikkal Navaneetheswarar Temple|Navaneetheswarar Temple]], [[Sikkal]]
* [[Srivilliputhur Andal Temple]], [[Srivilliputhur]]  
* [[Sikkal Singaravelan Temple|Singaravelan Temple]], [[Sikkal]]
* [[Thirukkadigai|Yoga Narasimhar Temple]], [[Sholinghur]]
* [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam]]
* [[Karpaka Vinayakar Temple]], [[Pillayarpatti]]
* [[Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple|Vadaranyeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvalangadu]]
* [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai]], [[Coimbatore]]
* [[Srivilliputhur Andal Temple]], [[Srivilliputhur]]
* [[Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai|Swaminatha Swamy Temple]], [[Swamimalai]]
* [[Suryanar Kovil]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam]]
* [[Swetharanyeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvenkadu]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Tiruchendur]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Thiruttani]]
* [[Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore]]
* [[Devi Kanya Kumari|Baghavathiamman Temple, Kanyakumari]]
* [[Thanumalayan Temple|Thanumalayaswamy Temple, Suchindrum]]
* [[Thanumalayan Temple|Thanumalayaswamy Temple, Suchindrum]]
* [[Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort|Thayumanaswami Temple]], [[Tiruchirapalli]]
* [[Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort|Thayumanaswami Temple]], [[Tiruchirapalli]]
* [[Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram]]
* [[Thirukadalmallai|Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple]], [[Mahabalipuram]]
* [[Thirukkadigai|Yoga Narasimhar Temple]], [[Sholinghur]]
* [[Thirukutralam|Thirukutralam Temple]], [[Kutralam]]
* [[Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple|Kandaswamy Temple]], [[Thiruporur]]
* [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur]]
* [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvottiyur]]
* [[Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram|Vaikunta Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple]], [[Tirunageswaram]]
* [[Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar Temple]], [[Thirunallar]]
* [[Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort|Ucchi Pillayar Temple]], [[Tiruchirapalli]]
* [[Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort|Ucchi Pillayar Temple]], [[Tiruchirapalli]]
* [[Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram|Maariamman Temple]], [[Samayapuram]]
* [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam]]
* [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur]]
* [[Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval|Jambukeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvanaikaval]]
* [[Uma Maheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram]]
*[[Kamakshi Amman Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Uppiliappan Temple]], [[Kumbakonam]]
*
* [[Vadapalani Andavar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
*[[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Vaitheeswaran Koil|Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple]], [[Vaitheeswaran Koil]]
*[[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Vallakottai Subramaniyaswami temple|Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Vallakottai]]
*[[Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple|Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]
*[[Kumarakottam Temple|Kumarakootam Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Vayalur Murugan Temple]], [[Vayalur]]
*
* [[Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu]]
*[[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Veerateeswarar Temple, Thirukovilur]]
*[[Adikesava Perumal temple, Sriperumpudur|Adikesava Perumal Temple, Sriperumpudur]]
* [[Vekkali Amman Temple]], [[Woraiyur]]
*[[Vallakottai Subramaniyaswami temple|Vallakottai Subramaniyaswami Temple, Vallakottai]]
* [[Vijayaraghava Perumal temple|Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
*[[Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivoyal|Masilamaniswara Temple]], [[Thirumullaivoyal]]
}}
*
*


== References ==
== References ==
<References/>
<references responsive="0" />


{{Government Governments of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Government Departments of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Tamil Nadu state government departments]]
[[Category:Government departments of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Madras State]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Madras State]]

Latest revision as of 14:54, 17 February 2026


Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department
File:TamilNadu Logo.svg
Agency overview
Formed1960
JurisdictionTamil Nadu
HeadquartersChennai
Minister responsible
Agency executives
Websitehrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/index.php

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR&CE Department) is a department under the Government of Tamil Nadu, India, that handles the administration of temples in the state. Formed under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959, the department administers 46,331 properties, including 43,800 Hindu temples, 22 Jain temples, 45 mutts, 69 temples attached to mutts, 1,262 charitable endowments, and 1,133 special endowments.

History[edit | edit source]

In 1923, the 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, with C. P. Ramaswami Iyer serving as chairman.[2]

Since 1991, religious and spiritual leaders have been involved in the maintenance and administration of the Hindu temples and charitable endowments.[citation needed] 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 mathas or religious orders (and 47 temples belonging to mathas), 1,721 specific endowments and 189 trusts.

The department's inception saw numerous companies managing their Public Relations (PR) and Social Media Management. Currently, the responsibility is entrusted to the Chennai-based branding firm, 7 miles per second, overseeing PR and Social Media Management operations.[3]

Schemes[edit | edit source]

Annadhanam Scheme is conducted in 746 Temples and 50 to 300 devotees are provided with mid-day meals after Uchikala Pooja. Every year Special Rejuvenation camp is held for elephants from temples and mutts across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In 2020-2021, the 48-day long camp was held at Thekampatti on the banks of River Bhavani.[4] Spiritual and Moral Instruction classes were conducted in 485 temples by scholars. Various welfare schemes for temple employees and Nathaswara artists were also performed by this department.[5] This department publishes an electronic magazine called Thiru Koil[6] at its official website.

Temples[edit | edit source]

Below are a few temples maintained by the department.[7]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "அறநிலையத்துறை". Government of Tamil Nadu – Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
  2. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959
  3. "How to tell compelling stories and weave engaging narratives". Edex Live. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  4. Palaniappan, V. S. (19 December 2013). "Elephant rejuvenation camp begins at Thekampatti". The Hindu. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
  5. "Schemes". Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  6. Thiru Koil magazine
  7. "List of Temples". Government of Tamil Nadu – Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department. Retrieved 29 October 2023.

Template:Government Departments of Tamil Nadu