Rules on Religious Institution Works, Idols and Festivals
This official Tamil Nadu Government rules extract, effective from 1 January 1959, regulates religious institution assets, renovation funds, idols, irrigation sources and festival safety. The Revenue Department amended the festival provisions through G.O. Ms. No. 1254, dated 19 June 1969, by changing application periods and inserting a requirement for an advance fitness certificate.
What the rules govern
The Tamil Nadu Government rules place responsibilities on trustees, Boards of Trustees, Executive Officers and Thiruppani Committees for maintaining religious institution property and conducting renovation and festivals. They cover technical inspections, payment of official fees, temple structures and equipment, idols, irrigation assets, renovation donations and festival safety.
Property and asset maintenance
Key requirements include:
- Government may arrange inspection of a religious institution's irrigation source, tank, well or canal by a serving government engineer not below the rank of Executive Engineer in the Public Works Department.
- Trustees or Boards of Trustees must provide inspection facilities and carry out improvement steps directed through the Commissioner.
- Inspection fees, travelling allowance and daily allowance are payable from the institution's funds and credited to government public accounts where required.
- Temple cars, vahanams, palanquins and chapparams must be maintained in good condition. Proposals for making, repairing, altering or replacing them require expert advice and sanction where necessary.
- Painting must be carried out by an expert painter selected from the government approved list, after sanction from the appropriate authority.
Idols and images
Every religious institution must maintain an idol register in the form prescribed by the Commissioner. A trustee or Board of Trustees cannot gift, sell or exchange an idol without the Government's express prior permission. Government permission in writing is also required to alter, repair, remove, melt or replace any metallic or other idol or image.
Renovation and donation funds
A temple needing public donations for renovation or Thiruppani work must form a Thiruppani Committee. Its formation and membership require approval from the specified authority, depending on the institution's classification and income.
The committee must:
- Meet as often as necessary and at least once a month.
- Obtain prior approval for plans and estimates before work begins.
- Issue printed duplicate receipts or properly sanctioned donation tickets.
- Deposit collections promptly in an approved bank account named "Temple Thiruppani Fund".
- Make joint withdrawals through the President and Treasurer.
- Pay contractors or workmen only after check measurements and countersigned bills.
- Keep accounts subject to statutory audit and follow directions of the appropriate authority.
Car and Theppam festivals
Festival applications must be made to the Public Works Department, local body, Electricity Department and police within the stated advance periods. The process covers structural fitness, road conditions, electrical hazards, routes, tank locations, crowd capacity and police precautions. G.O. Ms. No. 1254, Revenue Department, dated 19 June 1969, requires the Public Works Department fitness certificate at least two weeks before the festival, followed by final inspection on the previous day where applicable.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Can temple trustees sell or exchange an idol?
No. A trustee or Board of Trustees must obtain the Government's express prior permission before gifting, selling or exchanging any temple idol or image.
Who pays for inspection of a temple tank, well or canal?
The trustee of the religious institution must pay the prescribed inspection fee and the officer's eligible travelling and daily allowances. The amounts are credited to the Government's public accounts.
Can a Thiruppani Committee start renovation before plans are approved?
No. The Thiruppani Committee must submit properly prepared plans and estimates and obtain prior approval from the appropriate authority before starting the work.
What safety approvals are needed for a temple car or Theppam festival?
Applications must address structural fitness through the Public Works Department, road conditions through the local body, electrical precautions through the Electricity Department and security through the police. The fitness certificate must be issued at least two weeks before the festival.
