Tamil Nadu HR&CE seeks public views on draft list of Agama temples
Tamil Nadu's HR&CE department invites devotees to review and respond to a draft list of 34,971 Agama temples within 30 days.
The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has called on devotees to review a draft list of Agama temples and submit suggestions for additions or corrections. The move follows the constitution of an expert committee by the State government through a Government Order issued on October 6, 2025.
The committee was formed in compliance with directions from the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court in a case concerning the appointment of priests (Archakas). The Supreme Court had indicated that once Agamic temples are identified, vacancies in non-Agamic temples could be addressed subsequently.
The department oversees a total of 46,341 religious institutions, including 43,676 temples, 45 mutts, 80 temples attached to mutts, 1,216 specific endowments, 1,301 charitable endowments, and 23 Jain temples. From this pool, the expert committee has drawn up a list of 34,971 temples classified as Agamic.
Devotees who wish to raise objections or propose additions to the list can do so within 30 days. Responses may be submitted in person at the office of the Commissioner of HR&CE or uploaded through the department's official website, according to a press release issued in Chennai.