Tamil Nadu temples face neglect crisis, HR&CE minister alleges

The minister responsible for overseeing Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu has voiced serious concerns about the poor upkeep of religious structures across the state. Speaking on the issue, HR&CE Minister Ramesh highlighted the urgent need for restoration and maintenance work at numerous temples that have fallen into disrepair.

The minister levelled criticism at the outgoing DMK government, alleging that successive administrations failed to prioritise temple maintenance and conservation efforts. He suggested that decades of insufficient attention and resource allocation have contributed to the current state of deterioration affecting temples throughout the state.

Temple maintenance and heritage preservation have emerged as politically sensitive issues in Tamil Nadu, where religious institutions hold significant cultural and historical importance. The HR&CE department oversees the administration of thousands of temples across the state and manages considerable land and financial assets associated with these institutions.

The minister's remarks indicate renewed focus on temple restoration as part of the current government's agenda. Officials are expected to conduct comprehensive surveys to assess the extent of damage and formulate rehabilitation plans for affected temples.