Applications invited for trustees in more temples

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has again called for applications from interested individuals for appointment as trustees in a total of 8,193 temples across the State. Recently, applications were called for non-hereditary trustees of 1,012 temples. The last date for submitting application form is on August 20, 2026.  

Many people who did not make it last time are applying this time too. Existing trustees appointed by the previous government have resigned on their own or have been asked to step down though their two-year-long tenure may not be over as yet.  

“I applied last time too. But somehow, I was not chosen. It was perhaps because the person who was chosen had political support. I have lived near this temple all my life and I have always wanted to do service there. I am part of an organisation that works around the temple. We have cleaned up the tank. I want to keep the mada streets clean,” said a person who is preparing his application form for a Perumal temple.  

This time, apart from Aadhar cards and address proof, applicants have been asked to submit a no-objection certificate from the respective temple and a verification certificate from the police.  

A resident of Tiruvallur, whose family has been associated with a Paadal Petra sthalam, said that he was definitely going to apply for the post of a trustee. “There is so much that needs to be done in the temple. The department is running it badly. Since it is treated as a sub-temple of another temple, officials don’t come here as often, they don’t have time for proper inspection of properties. A proper board of trustees interested in the development of the temple will do so much good for it,” he said.  

Sources in the department said that district level committees were yet to be formed. “These committees will choose trustee for AC-level temples. For larger temples, the Commissioner will choose and for still larger ones, the government will take a call. Without the approval of the Board of Trustees, the monthly budget of the temples cannot be cleared. We cannot pay salaries of the staff even,” pointed out a source.