B.Ramkumar Adityan, v. Additional Chief Secretary,

ORDER (Order of the Court was delivered by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.) This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus to consider the representation dated 19.11.2025 for streamlining the affairs of temples in Tamil Nadu, particularly with regard to providing special darshan, including break darshan, for VIPs.

¶2Mr.J.Ashok, learned Additional Government Pleader, submitted that a circular was issued by the Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, on 09.02.2026, formulating certain guidelines for collecting service charges for providing darshan and other facilities in temples.

¶3On a reading of the said circular, we find that it is not adequate to address the representation submitted by the petitioner. The circular is silent about fixing specific timings for break darshan and special darshan, as well as the manner in which the same are to be implemented.

¶4We are of the view that the fixation of timings for break darshan and special darshan cannot be a uniform exercise applicable to all temples throughout the State. It may depend upon the seva timings of each temple and the festivals conducted therein. For that purpose, necessary inputs ought to have been collected from the respective Executive Officers of the temples, and thereafter appropriate guidelines should have been framed. We find that, so far, no such exercise has been undertaken by the HR & CE Department.

¶5For better implementation, the HR & CE Department may also consider adopting, wherever suitable, the procedure followed by the Tirupati Tirumala Devasthanam, subject to its applicability to temples in Tamil Nadu.

¶6We are conscious of the fact that the administration of temples cannot be monitored by the Court or by the Court orders. It is for the authorities at the helm of affairs of the HR & CE Department to take necessary and positive steps to streamline the darshan pattern in the State, so that the general public is not affected by VIP visits to temples.

¶7With the above observations and directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of, directing the respondents to consider the petitioner's representation and take appropriate action within a reasonable time. Consequently, the connected Writ Miscellaneous Petition is closed. [G.J., J.] & [K.K.R.K., J.]

24.02.2026

Index :Yes/No Internet :Yes mkn To

1.Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai – 600 009.

2.Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthammar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034. W.P.(MD)No.35221oofo2025 oDRo.oG.oJAYACHANDRANoo,oJo. AND K.K.oRAMAKRISHNAN,oJ. mkn W.P.(MD)No.35221oofo2025 and W.M.P.(MD)No.27925oofo2025

24.02.2026

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.02.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G. JAYACHANDRAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K. RAMAKRISHNAN and W.M.P.(MD)No.27925 of 2025 B.Ramkumar Adityan ... Petitioner Vs. 1.Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, St. George Fort, Chennai – 600 009. 2.Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Uthammar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai – 600 034. ... Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India seeking to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to issue a common mandatory guidelines to be followed by the Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner and Executive Officer Cadre Temples while issuing Notice or Announcement for the public opinion to introduce break darshan, fix and enhance fees for special darshan and poojas as requested in the representation dated 29.08.2019 and 19.11.2025 of the petitioner. For Petitioner : Mr.D.Packiaraj For Respondents : Mr.J.Ashok, Additional Government Pleader