The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has informed the Madras High Court that it has withdrawn its 2023 Government Order (GO) permitting the construction of a commercial complex opposite the eastern Rajagopuram of the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, as reported in Dinamalar.
The submission was made during the hearing of petitions challenging the project before a Division Bench comprising Justices G. Jayachandran and S. Soundar.
2023 Government Order Withdrawn
The HR&CE Department had issued a Government Order on 14 September 2023 approving the construction of a multi-storeyed commercial complex opposite the temple’s eastern Rajagopuram at an estimated cost of ₹6.40 crore. Preliminary works for the project had also commenced.
The project was challenged before the Madras High Court by T.R. Ramesh, managing trustee of the Indic Collective Trust, along with petitioner Radhakrishnan, who opposed the construction near one of Tamil Nadu’s most significant temple entrances.
Appearing for the HR&CE Department, government counsel R. Paranidharan informed the court that the government had withdrawn the earlier Government Order and issued a fresh order on 19 June 2026 cancelling the proposal.
He further submitted that the department had written to the Public Works Department seeking the return of the funds allocated for the commercial complex and that the amount would instead be transferred to the temple.
High Court Suggests Devotee-Centric Infrastructure
While recording the government’s submission, the Madras High Court directed the HR&CE Department to prepare and file a comprehensive plan addressing the increasing influx of devotees to the Arunachaleswarar Temple and the need for improved pilgrim amenities.
The Bench observed that the government should consider measures similar to those adopted at the Tirupati temple, including acquiring land around the temple to create waiting halls and other essential facilities for devotees instead of commercial infrastructure.
The judges advised the State to focus on long-term infrastructure that would improve crowd management and enhance the pilgrimage experience at one of Tamil Nadu’s most visited temples.
The matter has been adjourned to next week for further hearing.
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