The Madras High Court has intervened in the administration of the ancient Lord Nataraja temple in Chidambaram, citing maladministration under the hereditary priests known as the Podhu Dikshitars. The court’s decision was influenced by concerns over the poor maintenance of heritage structures, the failure to preserve temple properties, and the transformation of parts of the temple into non-religious commercial spaces, described as a “food court.”

In a ruling delivered on Friday evening, a Division Bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and E Manoharan highlighted the necessity for transparent governance to rectify the existing issues. The court emphasised that immediate action was required to prevent further deterioration of the temple’s heritage structures and to safeguard the ancient complex.

The court’s order stated, “To address the malady in the administration of the temple, which holds significance for all Hindus, a transparent administration is essential.” The establishment of a Board of Management was deemed crucial for overseeing the temple’s administration until the identified issues are resolved.

Composition of the Board of Management

The Board of Management will be chaired by retired Madras High Court judge Justice V Bharathidasan, with retired judge Justice R Suresh Kumar serving as co-chairman. Additionally, retired IAS officer C Rajendran will be included as a member. The secretary of the Podhu Dikshitars of Sri Sabanayagar Temple and the Tamil Nadu government secretary of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department will serve as ex-officio members of the board.

While the board will oversee the temple’s administration, the court clarified that the Podhu Dikshitars will retain responsibility for daily rituals and festivals, which must adhere to established customs. The existing financial arrangements, including fixed deposits and other investments managed by the Podhu Dikshitars, will remain unchanged.

However, the secretary of the Podhu Dikshitars is required to submit a monthly account of temple finances to the Board of Management. All donations to the temple must be processed through a designated electronic payment system, ensuring transparency in financial transactions.

Background and Context of the Court’s Ruling

The High Court noted that the temple had briefly come under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. A significant ruling in 2014 by the Supreme Court in the case of Dr Subramanian Swamy versus the State of Tamil Nadu established that even in instances of maladministration, permanent transfers of temple administration rights to an executive officer from the department were not permissible.

This Supreme Court ruling affirmed that the rights of a religious denomination to manage its property could only be interfered with in cases of maladministration, and only until the issues were resolved. Following this judgment, the temple administration reverted to the Podhu Dikshitars.

The High Court expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the financial dealings of the Podhu Dikshitars, noting that for over 12 years, they had retained the temple’s income without providing a comprehensive account. The court remarked on the disheartening state of the temple’s heritage structures, which had suffered damage under the management of the Podhu Dikshitars.

In its order, the court cited the establishment of new structures and extensive damage to heritage sites as indicators of maladministration. The presence of non-religious activities, such as dining arrangements within the temple, further prompted the need for judicial intervention. The Board of Management is mandated to take immediate action to restore the temple, with support from the Revenue and Public Works Departments to ensure compliance with the court’s directives.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share