Madras High Court rules temple funds belong to deity, bars govt from using them for marriage halls

In a landmark verdict, the Madras High Court ruled that temple donations are solely for religious and charitable purposes, barring the Tamil Nadu government from using them for building marriage halls. The court warned against misuse, emphasizing the deity’s rights over devotees’ offerings.

Madras: The Madras High Court has given an important decision, giving a big blow to the Tamil Nadu government. The court clarified that the money donated by devotees to temples is the property of the deity only and can be used only for the maintenance of the temple, religious works, or charitable purposes.

With this decision, the court canceled five orders of the government, which directed the construction of marriage halls from the temple funds.

Petition and government's argument

This matter came to light during the hearing of a PIL, which alleged that the government was misusing the temple funds. The petitioner said that the marriage halls that the government is building with the temple money will be given on rent, which has no religious purpose.

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The lawyer on behalf of the government argued that this would benefit the society and only Hindu marriage ceremonies would be allowed.

Court's clear interpretation

The judges of the Madurai bench rejected the government's argument and said that Hindu marriage is a sacrament, but it is also a legal contract under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

Therefore, it cannot be considered a religious purpose. Citing the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, the court clarified that temple funds can be used only for works like worship, food donation, welfare of pilgrims, and help to the poor, and not for raising government revenue.

Deity's right and warning

The court stressed that the deity has the right over the property donated by the devotees, and it cannot be considered public money.

This money is linked to the faith and sentiments of the devotees. The court warned that if this money is misused, it will violate the religious rights of Hindu devotees and may open the way for embezzlement in the future.

After this decision, now the Tamil Nadu government can use the temple funds only for religious and charitable works. This decision is considered an important step to protect the property of temples and strengthen the rights of religious faith.