In a shocking revelation, the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has been accused of misusing funds from the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, one of the most revered Hindu temples in the country. The allegations come just days after the Madras High Court explicitly ruled that surplus temple funds can only be used for purposes permitted under the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Act, 1959. Despite this, the HR&CE Department has issued a tender worth ₹8.40 crores for “architectural facade illumination” of the temple’s gopurams (towers) and vimanam (dome), raising serious questions about the misuse of temple funds and the violation of judicial orders.
Illegal Control And Violation Of SC Orders
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple has been under the control of the Tamil Nadu HR&CE Department since 13 December 1951. However, activists and devotees have long alleged that the department’s control is illegal, as there is no documented order appointing an Executive Officer to manage the temple. The department has also appointed a “Fit Person” as the sole trustee of the temple, a move that blatantly violates a landmark judgment by a Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court of India. The appointment also contravenes Section 25-A of the TN HR&CE Act, 1959, which restricts the powers of such appointees.
Temple activists have challenged the HR&CE Department to produce any legal order authorizing the appointment of an Executive Officer for the temple.
The GREAT TEMPLE LOOT in Tamil Nadu !
Latest example !
1. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, Tamil Nadu is controlled by @tnhrcedept by FRAUD from 13.12.1951. There is NO legal order that exists appointing an Executive Officer to the temple. (I challenge @tnhrcedept… pic.twitter.com/PrSEPU7Kn2
— trramesh (@trramesh) January 15, 2025
Judicial Orders Ignored
On 9 January 2025, the First Bench of the Madras High Court, led by the Chief Justice, categorically ruled that surplus temple funds can only be used for purposes permitted under the TN HR&CE Act, 1959. The court’s decision was seen as a significant victory for temple activists and devotees who have been fighting against the misuse of temple funds by the state government.
However, just six days after this ruling, the HR&CE Department issued a tender notice for ₹8.40 crores to install facade illumination for the temple’s gopurams and vimanam. The tender, numbered 01/2025, was published on 7 January 2025 and invites contractors to submit bids by 28 January 2025. The project, which includes architectural lighting for the temple’s iconic structures, has been criticized as an unnecessary expenditure that serves no spiritual or religious purpose.
A Facade Of Deception
The term “facade” has a dual meaning: while it refers to the exterior of a building, it also signifies a “deceptive outward appearance.” Activists argue that the HR&CE Department’s actions are a perfect example of this duality. The tender notice, which can be accessed on the Tamil Nadu government’s e-tender portal, specifies that the work must be completed within nine months. Contractors eligible to bid must be registered with the Tamil Nadu government and provide an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) of ₹4,30,500. Critics argue that such large-scale tenders should not be called by a “Fit Person,” as per previous court orders obtained by activists.
This is not the first time the Tamil Nadu government has been accused of misusing temple funds. Over the years, several temples under the control of the HR&CE Department have reported mismanagement, corruption, and diversion of funds for non-religious purposes. Activists allege that the department operates as a “looting machinery,” siphoning off crores of rupees from temple revenues while neglecting the maintenance and development of these sacred institutions.
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. Its annual revenue runs into hundreds of crores, making it a prime target for exploitation by the HR&CE Department.
Temple activists and devotees are demanding immediate action to stop the misuse of temple funds and restore the autonomy of Hindu temples.
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