For centuries, Tamil Nadu has stood as the spiritual heartland of Hinduism, its landscape adorned with magnificent temples that have shaped the region’s identity and culture. Yet today, the very sanctuaries that once echoed with devotion and grandeur are facing an unprecedented crisis. Behind the towering gopurams and intricate carvings lies a grim reality: thousands of temples across the state are crumbling under the weight of neglect, encroachment, and systemic mismanagement. What was once a source of immense pride and spiritual strength for millions now teeters on the brink of irreparable decay, a silent erosion that threatens not only sacred spaces but also the cultural soul of Tamil Nadu itself.
The Land of Temples in Crisis
Tamil Nadu, a state renowned as the “Land of Temples, according to an India in Pixels data, there are about 79,154 temples in the state. Out of which 46,014 Hindu Religious and Jain Temples are under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment in Tamil Nadu (HR&CE). Additionally, only 32,935 were found to be in good condition, and 6,414 of the temples require minor repair works.
However, 530 temples are identified as being partially dilapidated, and 716 are in severely dilapidated condition, a report by Indomer Coastal Hydraulics (P) Ltd highlighted. Not only this, various temples in the state are languishing in conditions described by experts as the worst in decades, this is to encroachment and neglect, to the absence of regular maintenance.
Bureaucratic Failures and Fragmented Oversight
These alarming conditions have placed the HR&CE Department under intense scrutiny. The reason behind this is that bureaucratic delays, lack of funding, and inadequate oversight have left these spiritual and cultural landmarks vulnerable. The neglect of Tamil Nadu’s temples, ‘jewels of Hindu heritage,’ has reached a critical point. In countless dilapidated shrines, daily pujas have ceased altogether, with no effective government schemes to revive these sacred rituals or restore the sanctity of worship. Beyond those temples under HR&CE jurisdiction, thousands of large and small temples are managed by village committees, community groups, or even residential associations, many of whom struggle with a lack of resources and expertise. This fragmented system has resulted in widespread neglect, as the government lacks both the capacity and financial means to monitor, maintain, and renovate every temple outside its direct purview.
Financial Struggles and Systemic Crisis
The HR&CE itself admitted, in a 2020 submission to the Madras High Court, that nearly 37,000 temples do not generate enough revenue to employ more than a single priest, and that approximately 12,000 temples cannot afford to conduct even one daily puja. Only a fraction, around 7,000 temples, are financially self-sufficient, and within this group, just 1,000 have any surplus funds for future needs. The root causes of this crisis are glaringly clear: chronic underfunding, lack of dedicated maintenance programs, rampant idol theft, and unchecked encroachment on temple lands.
Structural Decay and Encroachment
Moreover, according to recent surveys and media investigations, over 10,000 temples in Tamil Nadu face severe maintenance issues. Reports by The Hindu and Times of India highlight that at least 2,500 temples are in dire structural condition, with some on the verge of collapse. Vegetation overruns, debris accumulation, and waterlogging are common sights. In several instances, temple lands and even sanctum premises have been encroached upon by private parties, further complicating restoration efforts.
Losing Centuries of Heritage
Problems like damaged gopurams, unsafe mandapams, and neglected shrines are escalating, putting Tamil Nadu at risk of losing centuries-old temples to irreversible decay. The crisis now threatens not just religious sites, but the very heart of the state’s cultural and spiritual identity.
The Imperative for Action
For a state celebrated as the cradle of Hindu spirituality and temple tradition, the current state of neglect is nothing short of a spiritual and cultural crisis. Preserving these timeless sanctuaries demands urgent and decisive action—restoring daily rituals, fostering partnerships with local communities and private benefactors, and creating sustainable funding pathways to ensure their longevity. A transparent audit of temple assets, active public participation, and a dedicated maintenance fund are critical steps toward revival. As living embodiments of faith, art, and heritage, Tamil Nadu’s temples are not merely places of worship—they are the soul of a civilization. Protecting them is an unshakable responsibility, vital for the cultural and spiritual legacy of generations to come.
Sapan kay cee
(Syamesvari Madhvi Devi Dasi)