Agama survey: HR&CE seeks public views, 34,000+ temples under lens

CHENNAI: The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department on Thursday invited the public to submit objections or comments on details of 34,971 temples examined by a five-member committee constituted to identify temples constructed in accordance with Agama rules.

The State government constituted the committee on October 6, 2025, following orders of the Madras High Court and the Supreme Court. Its mandate is to identify temples under the HR%CE Department's control that were constructed in accordance with Agama traditions.

Details concerning the Agama practices of the temples were submitted to the committee by the respective regional Joint Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners of the department. The committee subsequently examined the reports.

The department said the public could point out any omissions in the details or submit comments for the committee's consideration.

Details of all 34,971 temples examined by the panel have been published on the HR&CE Department's website.

Members of the public may submit representations by post to the Commissioner's Office, HR&CE Department, 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-34, or through the department's website.

The representations should be submitted within 30 days from the date of publication of the notice, the department noted.