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{{short description|Department of the Govenrment of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department
| logo = TamilNadu Logo.svg
| logo_width =
| logo_caption =
| seal =
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| formed = 1960
| preceding1 =
| preceding2 =
| dissolved =
| superseding =
| jurisdiction = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| headquarters = [[Chennai]]
| employees =
| budget =
| minister1_name = [[P. K. Sekar Babu]]
| minister1_pfo = Minister of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department<ref name="HRCE_Dept">{{Cite web |title=அறநிலையத்துறை |url=https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/hrce_department.php |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Government of Tamil Nadu – Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department}}</ref>
| chief1_name = B. Chandra Mohan [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| chief1_position = [[Principal Secretary (India)|Principal Secretary]], Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments<ref name="HRCE_Dept"/>
| chief2_name = J. Kumara Gurubaran [[Indian Administrative Service|IAS]]
| chief2_position = [[Commissioner]], HR&CE<ref name="HRCE_Dept"/>
| parent_agency =
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| website = {{url|hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/index.php}}
| footnotes =
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}}

'''Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department''' ('''HR&CE Department''') is a [[Government department|department]] under the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]], India, that handles the administration of temples in the state. Formed under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959, the department administers 46,331 properties, including 43,800 [[Hindu]] temples, 22 [[Jain]] temples, 45 [[Matha|mutts]], 69 temples attached to mutts, 1,262 charitable endowments, and 1,133 special endowments.

== History ==
In 1923, the ''Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act'' was passed by [[Madras Presidency]]. In 1925, the Government constituted "The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Board" consisting of a president and two to four commissioners nominated by the government to function as a statutory body. Subsequently, it was modified and in 1960 it became The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department by Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act XXII of 1959 which came into force with effect from 28 April 1960, with [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer]] serving as chairman.<ref>[https://hrce.tn.gov.in/resources/docs/actrule/1/1/document_1.pdf Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959]</ref>

Since 1991, religious and spiritual leaders have been involved in the maintenance and administration of the Hindu temples and charitable endowments.{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} However, the maintenance and administration of the Jain temples are under the administration of Jain religious and spiritual leaders.

The act controls 36,425 temples, 56 [[matha]]s or religious orders (and 47 temples belonging to mathas), 1,721 specific endowments and 189 trusts.

The department's inception saw numerous companies managing their Public Relations (PR) and Social Media Management. Currently, the responsibility is entrusted to the Chennai-based branding firm, 7 miles per second, overseeing PR and Social Media Management operations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to tell compelling stories and weave engaging narratives |url=https://www.edexlive.com/happening/2023/sep/05/how-to-tell-compelling-stories-and-weave-engaging-narratives-37452.html |access-date=2023-11-17 |website=Edex Live |language=en}}</ref>

== Schemes ==
Annadhanam Scheme is conducted in 746 Temples and 50 to 300 devotees are provided with mid-day meals after Uchikala Pooja. Every year Special Rejuvenation camp is held for elephants from temples and mutts across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In 2020-2021, the 48-day long camp was held at Thekampatti on the banks of River Bhavani.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Palaniappan |first1=V. S. |title=Elephant rejuvenation camp begins at Thekampatti |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/elephant-rejuvenation-camp-begins-at-thekampatti/article5478990.ece |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=The Hindu |date=19 December 2013 |language=en-IN}}</ref> Spiritual and Moral Instruction classes were conducted in 485 temples by scholars. Various welfare schemes for temple employees and [[Nadhaswaram|Nathaswara]] artists were also performed by this department.<ref>{{cite news |title=Schemes |work=Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department |publisher= |url=https://hrce.in/government-scheme/ |access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref> This department publishes an electronic magazine called ''Thiru Koil''<ref>[https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/hrce_magazine.php ''Thiru Koil'' magazine]</ref> at its official website.

== Temples ==
Below are a few temples maintained by the department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=List of Temples |url=https://hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/temple_list.php |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=Government of Tamil Nadu – Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department}}</ref>
{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|
* [[Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple]], [[Thiruppullani]]
* [[Adi Kumbeswarar Temple, Kumbakonam]]
* [[Adikesava Perumal temple, Sriperumpudur|Adikesava Perumal Temple, Sriperumpudur]]
* [[Agniswarar Temple, Kanjanur]]
* [[Airavatesvara Temple]], [[Darasuram]]
* [[Amritaghateswarar-Abirami Temple, Thirukkadaiyur]]
* [[Angala Devi|Angala Parameswari Temple]], [[Melmalayanur]]
* [[Anjaneya Temple, Nanganallur]]
* [[Annamalaiyar Temple]], [[Tiruvannamalai]]
* [[Apatsahayesvarar Temple, Alangudi]]
* [[Ardhanareeswarar Temple, Tiruchengode]]
* [[Arulmigu Mariamman Temple, Samayapuram|Mariamman Temple]], [[Samayapuram]]
* [[Arulmigu Munthi Vinayagar Temple|Puliakulam Munthi Vinayagar Temple, Coimbatore]]
* [[Arulmigu Solaimalai Murugan Temple, Pazhamudircholai|Solaimalai Murugan Temple]], [[Pazhamudircholai]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Thiruparankundram|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Thiruparankundram]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur|Subramanya Swamy Temple]], [[Tiruchendur]]
* [[Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruttani|Subramaniya Swamy Temple]], [[Thiruttani]]
* [[Arulmigu Swaminatha Swamy Temple, Swamimalai|Swaminatha Swamy Temple]], [[Swamimalai]]
* [[Ashtalakshmi Temple, Chennai]]
* [[Bhavani Sangameswarar Temple|Sangameswarar Temple]], [[Bhavani]]
* [[Brahmapureeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruppattur, Tiruchirappalli|Thiruppattur]]
* [[Brihadisvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram]]
* [[Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur]]
* [[Chandra Choodeswarar Temple, Hosur]]
* [[Chitragupta temple, Kanchipuram|Chitragupta Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Devanathaswamy temple]], [[Thiruvanthipuram]]
* [[Devi Kanya Kumari|Baghavathiamman Temple, Kanyakumari]]
* [[Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)|Ekambareswarar Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Erumbeeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruverumbur]]
* [[Jalakandeswarar Temple, Vellore]]
* [[Jalantheeswarar Temple]], [[Thakkolam]]
* [[Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval]]
* [[Kabartheeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvalanchuzhi]]
* [[Kailasanathar Temple, Thingalur]]
* [[Kalikambal Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Kallazhagar Temple]], [[Alagar Koyil]]
* [[Kamakshi Amman Temple, Mangadu]]
* [[Kamakshi Amman Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Kampaheswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam]]
* [[Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple|Kailasanathar Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Kandaswami Temple, Georgetown]]
* [[Kapaleeshwarar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Karchapeswarar Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Karumariamman Temple, Tiruverkadu]]
* [[Koniamman Temple|Arulmigu Koniamman Temple, Coimbatore]]
* [[Koodal Azhagar Temple]], [[Madurai]]
* [[Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Temple|Maha Saraswathi Temple]], [[Koothanur]]
* [[Kumarakottam Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur]]
*[[Uthirakosamangai|Mangalanatha Swamy Temple, Uthirakosamangai]]
* [[Marudhamalai (temple)|Marudhamalai Murugan Temple]], [[Marudhamalai (temple)|Marudhamalai]]
* [[Marundeeswarar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Masilamaniswara Temple, Thirumullaivoyal|Masilamaniswara Temple]], [[Thirumullaivoyal]]
* [[Meenakshi Amman Temple]], [[Madurai]]
* [[Nagannathaswamy Temple, Keezhaperumpallam]]
* [[Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple|Anjaneyar Temple]], [[Namakkal]]
* [[Narasimhaswamy Temple, Namakkal]]
* [[Nellaiappar Temple]], [[Tirunelveli]]
* [[Palani Murugan Temple]], [[Palani]]
* [[Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Parthasarathy Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Perur Pateeswarar Temple|Perur Pateeswarar Temple, Coimbatore]]
* [[Punnainallur Mariamman|Punnainallur Maariamman Temple]], [[Thanjavur]]
* [[Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi]]
* [[Ramanathaswamy Temple]], [[Rameshwaram]]
* [[Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karamadai]], [[Coimbatore]]
* [[Sarangapani temple|Sarangapani Temple]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Sathyanatheswarar temple|Sathyanatheswarar Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Sattainathar Temple, Sirkazhi]]
* [[Shanmughanathar Temple, Kunnakudi]]
* [[Sikkal Navaneetheswarar Temple|Navaneetheswarar Temple]], [[Sikkal]]
* [[Sikkal Singaravelan Temple|Singaravelan Temple]], [[Sikkal]]
* [[Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam]]
* [[Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple|Vadaranyeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvalangadu]]
* [[Srivilliputhur Andal Temple]], [[Srivilliputhur]]
* [[Suryanar Kovil]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Swetharanyeswarar Temple]], [[Thiruvenkadu]]
* [[Thanumalayan Temple|Thanumalayaswamy Temple, Suchindrum]]
* [[Thayumanaswami Temple, Rockfort|Thayumanaswami Temple]], [[Tiruchirapalli]]
* [[Thenupuriswarar Temple, Patteeswaram]]
* [[Thirukadalmallai|Sthala Sayana Perumal Temple]], [[Mahabalipuram]]
* [[Thirukkadigai|Yoga Narasimhar Temple]], [[Sholinghur]]
* [[Thirukutralam|Thirukutralam Temple]], [[Kutralam]]
* [[Thiruporur Kandaswamy temple|Kandaswamy Temple]], [[Thiruporur]]
* [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur]]
* [[Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvottiyur]]
* [[Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram|Vaikunta Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
* [[Tirunageswaram Naganathar Temple]], [[Tirunageswaram]]
* [[Tirunallar Dharbaranyeswarar Temple]], [[Thirunallar]]
* [[Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Rockfort|Ucchi Pillayar Temple]], [[Tiruchirapalli]]
* [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur]]
* [[Uma Maheswarar Temple, Konerirajapuram]]
* [[Uppiliappan Temple]], [[Kumbakonam]]
* [[Vadapalani Andavar Temple]], [[Chennai]]
* [[Vaitheeswaran Koil|Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple]], [[Vaitheeswaran Koil]]
* [[Vallakottai Subramaniyaswami temple|Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Vallakottai]]
* [[Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram]]
* [[Vayalur Murugan Temple]], [[Vayalur]]
* [[Vedapureeswarar Temple, Thiruverkadu]]
* [[Veerateeswarar Temple, Thirukovilur]]
* [[Vekkali Amman Temple]], [[Woraiyur]]
* [[Vijayaraghava Perumal temple|Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple]], [[Kanchipuram]]
}}

== References ==
<references responsive="0" />

{{Government Departments of Tamil Nadu}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Government departments of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:1960 establishments in Madras State]]

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department - Revision history

Ranehospital at 09:24, 17 February 2026