Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department

- - `Tholkappiam`, the ancient Tamil work states that in the ancient the land of Tamils, situated between Venkadam hills in the north and Kumari (Kanyakumari) in the south, the gods Mayon (Vishnu) presiding deity for Mullai land (forests), Seyon (Murugan alias Subramaniar) presiding deity for Kurunji land (Hills), Vendan (Indran) presiding deity for Marutham land (Plain) and Varunan (Varuna) presiding deity for Mullai land (Sea) are worshipped.
  - Based on this, the Department was created to streamlined the administration of temples which stand as symbols of our cultural heritage and repositories of history.
  - The temples have been under the superintendence and control of the Government even during days of the East India Company.
  - The Hindu Temples have been in possession of thousands of Acres of lands since ancient times. Even during the times of East India Company, complaints were received regarding maladministration of these Temples. The general public lodged complaints with the kings then and East India Company.
  - In the meanwhile, the Madras regulation 1817 was enacted. This Act provided for monitoring whether the grants and endowments to temples were properly utilized or diverted for the welfare of private individuals. The Board was empowered to carryout this exercise. Due to this, thousands of temples were brought under the control of the Government.
  - In 1858, the Indian Government’s Administration was transferred to the British crown directly from the hands of the East India Company. It was required for the British Government to win the confidence of the people and to reduce their ill will. Hence, the British Government assured that it will not interfere in the religious matters. Hence, the persons who were managing the affairs of the temples and their properties continue to enjoy them without any hindrance.
  - Even though, large number of complaints was received, the British Government kept aloof from the temple administration since they did not understand the complexity of the Indian society and the temple activities entwined with it. At the same time, the people to continued to lodge complaints regarding mismanagement of valuable assets like icons, jewels, etc. and encroachment of properties.
  - When the Raja of Panagal, Thiru. Ramaraya Ningar took charge as the Chief Minister of the Madras Presidency; he tried to bring all the temples under the control of the Government. He proposed for enactment of “Hindu Paripalanam” Act in 1922. He explained the intricacies of the proposed bill to the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin, and got his approval. Finally, in 1927 the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board was constituted. The Board was vested with the power to control and supervise the administration of temple. Similarly, the power to appoint officials to temples for proper administration was also vested with the Board.
  - Subsequently to streamline the administration of the Board, a special officer was appointed in the year 1940.
  - It was suggested in 1942 by the non-official committee under the chairmanship of a retired High Court Judge that it will be proper if the Government undertakes administration directly instead of the Board. It was accepted and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951 was promulgated.
  - Several amendments were brought out and the Government took over the administration of temples and after several detailed amendments were carried out, the Act XXII of 1959 came into force from 1st January 1960. Based on this Act, a separate Government Department was created for the Administration of temples.

Administrative Structure – Flow Chart

Current projects / development plans with targets :

- - As per Assembly announcements of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Mupperum Vizha of Vallalar was held on 09.10.2022 & 16.07.2023 in Thanjavur district. v As per Assembly announcements of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Maha Shivratri festival was held on 18.02.2023 on behalf of the government for the first time at Thanjavur Peruvudayar temple(Pragadeeshwarar Temple).
  - Rs.3,00,00,000/- has been given as deficit fund to Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam as per the announcement of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
  - As per Assembly announcement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in Thanjavur district 25 couples belonging to poor and economically weaker section families including 4 grams of gold mangalyam each Rs. 50,000 worth of weddings items with home appliances (seervarisai) items.
  - As per Assembly announcement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the Thangather (golden chariot) was newly made and inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable endowment on 14.02.2023 at Pattiswaram Arulmigu Thenupuriswarar Temple.
  - As per Assembly announcement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Swami Thiruther in Kumbakonam Arulmigu Adikumbeshvara swamy Temple has donated Rs. 49,00,000 Lakhs. Rehearsal was held on 22.02.2023.
  - As per Assembly announcement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a bathing tub was constructed for the elephants of the Kumbakonam Arulmigu Adhikumbeshvaraswami Temple and Oppiliyappan Koil Arulmigu Venkatajalapathi Temple, inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Hindu Religious & Charitable endowment.

Monthly Incentive Scheme for Temple Staff :

a) 1265 Archagars working in 1265 temples are being given monthly incentive of Rs.1000/- each as per Assembly announcement.

Pension Hike for temple staff :

As per Assembly announcement by Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu the following execution were made:

a) A scheme to give Rs. 3000/- to retired othuvars, archagas, musicians. Vedaparayanas, Arayas and Divya Prabandham singers who have retired from temples.

b) A pension of Rs.4,000/- each is being given to 31 Archagars and poosaries who have worked for 20 years in village temples not under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable endowment Department.

Adi Dravidians Tirupani and Gramapura thiruppani temple :2021 – 2022 year

- Village Temple Thiruppani – 48
- Aadhidhravidar Temple Thiruppani – 35

2022 – 2023 year

- Village Temple Thiruppani – 41
- Aadhidhravidar Temple Thiruppani – 30

Orukala Poojai Scheme

- Financial aid for 1295 temples has been invested at the rate of Rs.2.00 lakh each and the interest amount has been paid to the temple and daily oru kala pooja is being continued. v Electricity connection to 545 temples has been changed from individual name to temple name.
- 54 temples have got new electricity connection.
- Rs.1000 per month is being given to 1295 temple Archagars / pattacharyas / poosaries from October 2021 under the orukala pooja scheme.

List of Schools / Hospitals / Field Stations / Hostels etc

– none –

Details of Schemes / Development Schemes / Schools / Clinics

Annai Thamizhil Archanai

- Tamil Saints of yore propitiated God by chanting verses in Tamil. Thirumandiram, Devaram, Thiruvasagam, Nalayira Divyaprabandham, Thirupugazh etc., rendered by the Saints have not only enriched the Tamil language and also contributed to its growth.
- The Hon`ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu released a banner announcing the availability of `Annai Tamizhil Archanai`. In the first phase, this system has been implemented in 47 senior grade temples. The banner displays the names of the priests (Gurukkal) available to perform Tamil Archanai in the temple along with their contact numbers.
- The Government has further supported the Annai Tamizhil Archanai scheme by making Tamil archanai books available. The 12 archanai books namely Arulmigu Vinayagar Pottri, Arulmigu Murugavel Pottri, Arulmigu Umaiammai Pottri, Arulmigu Natarajar Pottri, Arulmigu ThenmugaKadavul Pottri, Arulmigu Kothandaramar Pottri, Arulmigu Thayar Pottri, Arulmigu Durgaiamman Pottri, Arulmigu Kaliamman Pottri, Arulmigu Mariamman Pottri, Arulmigu Hanuman Pottri and Arulmigu Sivan Pottri were launched by the Hon`ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 12.08.2021. In addition, two more archanai books Arulmigu Thirumal Pottri and Arulmigu Navakolgal Pottri have been published.

Appointment of Archagas from all Communities

- To enable all worshippers to pray, conduct rituals, venerate the divine, and promote social justice, the Government has ordered that Hindus of all communities with required qualifications and necessary training may become archakas in Hindu temples. Four `Saiva Archaka` training institutes at Madurai, Palani, Tiruchendur and Tiruvannamalai and two `Vaishnava Archaka` Training institutes at Chennai and Srirangam were started to train the students.
- On 14.08.2021, the Hon`ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu gave away appointment orders to 56 `Archakas` of whom 22 `Archakas` have completed training in the above institutes.

Kalaignar Thalamarakandrugal Nadum Thittam

- Traditionally, trees symbolize deities and are considered part of various rituals. Every temple is connected to a specific tree and it is considered sacred. Kalaignar Thalamarakandrugal Nadum Thittam was introduced in the memory of former Chief Minister Dr.Kalaignar, for planting of one lakh temple sacred trees (Thalamarakandru) within temple premises throughout the State. On 07.08.2021, the Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu planted a ‘Nagalinga’ (Couroupita guianensis) sapling in the premises of the HRCE Commissioner ate and inaugurated the scheme.
- In order to avoid crowding of devotees in the temples, a system of giving electronic receipts to the devotees has been established.
- “HRCE Mobile App” has been launched and is operational to monitor the performance of o pooja in the temples under the orukala Pooja scheme.

Details of necessary forms / petitions for all types of development projects

https://hrce.tn.gov.in/

GOs & Announcements

Appointment of District Board of Trustees:

G.O No. 104 Tourism, Culture and Charitable Institutions (A.N.3-1) Department Date: 29.05.2023 Thanjavur District Committee for Non-Hereditary Trustee Appointment Resolution Date 14.07.2023 regarding appointment for 1304 listed and non-listed temples in Thanjavur district.

An announcement has been made on the department’s website and steps are being taken to advertise in the relevant temple office, village administration office, panchayat council president’s office and other offices.

Achievements on previous years targets – charts, photos, video clips, press releases, new details and more

On the occasion of the one year anniversary of the new government in Tamil Nadu, a photo exhibition and an awareness performance titled “Oya Uzhaipin orandu kadaikodi thamizharin kanavugalai thangi” was held at the Corporation Ground near Thanjavur Old Bus Stand from 18.03.2023 to 27.03.2023.

Success stories

- An area of 298.05 acres with 235 plot numbers belonging to 28 listed and non-listed temples under the Thanjavur Assistant Commissioner Division with a proposed value of Rs 128.88 crore has been acquired from 328 encroachers and handed over to the temples.
- 5757.42 acres of land belonging to listed and non-listed temples under Thanjavur Assistant Commissioner Division have been measured and 481 boundary stones have been planted.
- 940.1 acres of land belonging to listed and non-listed temples under Thanjavur Assistant Commissioner Division has been newly identified and auctioned for the first time.
- According to the order of Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kudamuzhuku was held in Thanjavur district for 45 temples on completion of 12 years.

Beneficiary details

- 1295 archagars are benefiting at the rate of one archagar per temple under the daily oru kala pooja scheme for 1295 temples.
- 31 village temple poosaries are given pension at the rate of Rs.4000/- per month.

Institution

Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department

Office of the Assistant Commissioner
Sachidhanandha Moopanar Salai
Thanjavur – 613007.

Insitution / Head of the Department, Officer Details:

The Commissioner
Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department:
119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai,
Nungambakkam, Chennai- 34
Phone Number : 044 – 28339999
Tollfree No. : 1800-425-1757 (24 Hours Service)
Email : commr.hrce@tn.gov.in
For Technical Queries
Contact : spndpsec.hrce@tn.gov.in