The TVK government’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has cancelled 46 temple-linked infrastructure projects worth ₹245.85 crore that were proposed during the previous DMK government, citing legal hurdles, court-related issues and concerns over the financial burden such projects would impose on temples, as reported in Times of India.
The state government has issued two Government Orders (G.O.s) formally withdrawing administrative approvals granted for the projects, which included the construction of marriage halls and commercial complexes using temple lands and funds.
According to the HR&CE Department, the cancelled projects comprise 29 marriage halls estimated at ₹115.77 crore and 17 commercial complexes worth ₹130.08 crore. While approvals had been granted, many of the projects had not progressed beyond the planning stage and had not entered execution.
Officials stated that several projects faced legal complications, including court proceedings and judicial orders affecting their implementation. Concerns were also raised regarding the financial viability of investing substantial temple funds into commercial infrastructure projects.
Among the cancelled projects are proposed marriage halls in Palani, Oddanchatram and Pudukottai, as well as a commercial complex in Tiruvannamalai.
An HR&CE official said that several of the proposed projects had remained on paper and had not entered the execution stage. The official added that legal issues, including court orders affecting some projects, and the financial implications for temples were among the reasons behind the decision.
The department further announced that the ₹245.85 crore earmarked for these projects would instead be redirected towards initiatives focused on improving temple infrastructure, maintenance and facilities for devotees.
Officials noted that while marriage halls and commercial complexes had long been promoted as revenue-generating assets for temples, concerns had repeatedly been raised about whether such ventures justified the financial commitments required from temple administrations.
With the cancellation of the projects, the HR&CE Department is expected to unveil a fresh set of initiatives aimed directly at benefiting temples and worshippers. Details of the alternative projects are likely to be announced in the coming months.
The decision has been welcomed by several temple activists and litigants who have been challenging such projects before the courts for years.
Temple activist TR Ramesh, who has been involved in legal efforts to stop commercial constructions on temple lands and the use of temple funds for such purposes, described the government’s decision as a significant development.
According to him, a group of petitioners had been fighting the issue in courts for nearly five years. He pointed out that on 19 June 2025, the First Bench of the Madras High Court had granted a major interim stay order against commercial constructions using temple funds. He alleged that despite the court order, the HR&CE Department under the previous DMK government did not fully comply with the directions.
I had deactivated my X account two days ago. I was not feeling elated with my daily feeding Hindus who, in general, do NOT care about their Temples and Dharma – with victory news from Court actions or about the violations of Dharma and Law by the instrumentalities of the… pic.twitter.com/bDVV17NtrX
— trramesh (@trramesh) June 19, 2026
It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, in his Assembly address, announced structural reforms in the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. He stated that temple funds and offerings will be used exclusively for sacred purposes, such as temple maintenance and development, rather than diversion.
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