Madras High Court Directs HR&CE to Give Devotees More Time on Tiruchendur Temple Darshan Fee Proposal
Court Orders Wider Publicity for Consultation on Proposed Revision of Special Darshan and Abhishekam Charges
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to provide devotees with more time to submit their views on a proposal to revise the charges for paid services, including special darshan and abhishekam tickets, at the famous Tiruchendur Subramaniya Swamy Temple. The Court also instructed the department to publish the notice prominently on its official website to ensure wider public participation.
The direction was issued by a Division Bench comprising Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel while disposing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate B. Ramkumar Adityan from Thoothukudi. The petitioner challenged both the validity of the public notice issued on June 20, 2026, and the authority of the temple’s Fit Person to initiate the proposal for revising the fee structure.
According to the petition, the notice inviting objections from devotees neither carried an official seal nor a signature and was displayed only briefly on the temple’s notice board before being removed within two days. The petitioner argued that such limited publication defeated the very purpose of seeking public opinion on a matter affecting lakhs of devotees who visit the temple annually.
The PIL further alleged that the State Government’s continued failure to constitute a regular Board of Trustees for the temple had enabled the Fit Person to take important administrative decisions without adequate institutional oversight. The petitioner contended that major policy decisions involving devotees should not be taken in the absence of a duly constituted governing body.
During the hearing, the High Court clarified that under the existing legal framework, the Fit Person possesses the authority to administer the temple until a Board of Trustees is constituted. The Bench therefore declined to interfere with the administrative powers exercised by the Fit Person but found merit in ensuring that the consultation process remained transparent and accessible to the public.
Recognizing the importance of meaningful public participation, the Court directed the HR&CE Commissioner to extend the time available for devotees to submit objections or suggestions regarding the proposed enhancement of darshan and abhishekam charges. It also ordered that the notice be uploaded on the department’s official website to ensure that devotees across the State and outside Tamil Nadu receive adequate information.
The ruling reflects the judiciary’s emphasis on procedural fairness in the administration of major religious institutions. While the Court refrained from expressing any opinion on whether the proposed fee revision was justified, it stressed that decisions affecting public religious institutions should follow a fair and transparent consultation process.
The case also highlights the continuing debate over the management of temples under the HR&CE Department, particularly regarding the appointment of Boards of Trustees and the role of Fit Persons in taking policy decisions. The Court’s order is expected to ensure that devotees are given a genuine opportunity to participate before any revision of paid darshan or abhishekam charges is finalized.
