Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Temple Department Announces Major Renovation and Pilgrim Upgrades
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has announced many projects for temples during 2026-27.
Some very old temples will be repaired and preserved.
Temples in poor condition will also receive money for restoration.
Visitors will get better toilets, drinking water, shelters, accommodation and queue facilities.
Special help will be provided for older people, people with disabilities and families with babies.
Temple workers will receive improved leave, marriage and education benefits.
Books and digital materials about Tamil religious history will be made available.
The department will also organise tours, festivals and programmes to protect temple culture and traditions.
Renovation is planned for 64 temples more than 1,000 years old at an estimated government cost of Rs. 125 crore.
The first phase includes restoration of 75 completely dilapidated and 75 partially dilapidated temples, costing Rs. 85 crore.
Pilgrim facilities such as accommodation, sanitation, drinking water, shelters, queue areas and storage will be expanded.
Temple employees will receive enhanced leave, marriage assistance and education-related benefits, alongside a new selection board.
Heritage initiatives include publishing 108 rare books, creating virtual-reality interpretation centres and organising temple tours.
- Who
- The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department announced the package.
- What
- It proposed temple renovations, pilgrim amenities, annadhanam expansion, employee welfare measures, heritage programmes and related infrastructure projects.
- When
- The projects and programmes are planned for 2026-27, with several works identified for the first phase.
- Where
- The works will cover temples and temple institutions across locations including Chennai, Madurai, Srirangam, Tiruvannamalai, Palani, Tiruchendur and other districts and towns.
- Why
- The package aims to conserve old and damaged temples, improve conditions for devotees, support temple employees and preserve Tamil religious and cultural heritage.
- Ancient temple renovation
- 64 temples more than 1,000 years old; estimated cost Rs. 125 crore through government funds.
- Dilapidated temple restoration
- 75 completely dilapidated temples and 75 partially dilapidated temples; combined first-phase cost Rs. 85 crore.
- Temple tank restoration
- 100 dilapidated temple tanks will be restored in the first phase at an estimated Rs. 40 crore.
- Tiruvannamalai facilities
- Mobile phone, baggage and footwear security, water, seating, shelters and other amenities at Rs. 8 crore.
- Palani facilities
- Sanitation, changing rooms, a breastfeeding room, a 300-person shelter and queue seating for 1,600 devotees at Rs. 7 crore.
- Employee benefits
- Retirement earned-leave surrender rises from 210 to 240 days; maternity leave rises from nine to 12 months.
- Heritage publishing
- A total of 108 rare books on temple history and devotional Tamil literature will be published, with free digital editions.