Details of Temple lands and properties of all temples have been sought from District Collectors and on receipt of the report, action will be initiated against encroachments in temple lands, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Commissioner P. R. Sampath said here on Saturday.
Under the HR&CE there are 38465 temples including 1200 temples belonging to mutts and trusts. The temples under HR&CE are having 4.5 lakh acre lands and the mutts are holding 50 thousand acres. “We have asked the District Collectors to give us list of temple lands and its details. Encroachers in temple lands will be dealt with legally,” he said.
Three temples Vadapalani, Kapaleeswarar and Thiruvallikeni Parthasarathy have been recommended for ISO certificate, he said.
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The commissioner was speaking to reporters after inaugurating the ‘Madapalli’ of Sri Oppiliappan temple renovated at Rs.4.2 lakh. The work of constructing 108 Thivya Desangal Mandapam is on at an estimated cost of Rs.3.5 crores, he said.
42 persons had joined the ‘gold card’ scheme, introduced by the government (by paying Rs. 5 lakh each).
They are entitled to visit freely any temple (five members per family) for 20 years in Tamil Nadu, he said.
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A sum of Rs. 100 crores was allotted for renovation and 1100 temples were renovated and majority of temples consecration was over during 2009 - 2010.
After the DMK government came to power, it was decided to renovate 4200 temples with a fund of Rs. 382 crores and so far consecration of 3500 temples was over. Works are going on in the rest of the temples, he added.