In a significant ruling for devotees and heritage conservationists, the Madras High Court has issued an interim order staying all construction work inside and outside the ancient Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The order was passed by a Division Bench currently hearing temple-related cases.
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, which has been administering the temple since 13 December 1951, had submitted a proposal before the Court to construct a queue complex and waiting areas for devotees. The proposed construction was to be located opposite the Rajagopuram, the site of major temple festivals attended by at least 50,000 devotees.
The department presented engineering drawings and detailed plans to the Bench, justifying the necessity of the construction. However, petitioners opposing the plan produced photographs indicating that large-scale construction had already begun within the temple premises, in apparent violation of legal provisions and prior court judgments. The photos reportedly showed massive concrete pillars erected adjacent to the ancient heritage walls of the temple.
The Bench, visibly concerned about the impact of modern constructions on the temple’s heritage, questioned the department on the necessity of introducing such structures within the sacred premises. After a detailed hearing, the Court stayed all further construction work, both inside and outside the temple until the next scheduled hearing on 16 October 2025.
The judges also expressed their intention to personally inspect the temple, citing its extraordinary heritage value and the need to protect it from any irreversible changes.
As part of the interim order, the Madras High Court directed the Department of Endowments to file a comprehensive report, supported by documentary evidence, explaining the purpose and necessity of the proposed constructions.
Om Arunachala Siva !
Good news for devotees.
ALL Constructions inside and outside the ancient Sri Arunachaleswarar temple, Tiruvannamalai by the @tnhrcedept – – stayed by Hon’ble Division Bench of Madras High Court which is hearing temple cases.The @tnhrcedept… pic.twitter.com/zSwhBPhjJZ
— trramesh (@trramesh) September 25, 2025
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