Devotees and residents have alleged that the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has failed to reclaim 11 acres of temple land near Thanjavur, even after court directions issued years ago.
The land, located in Adhanur village near Peravurani, is said to belong to the 150-year-old Vimanayaki Amman Temple. According to the complainants, the agricultural property—estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore—has remained under encroachment for over a century.
In a case filed in 1987, the Madras High Court delivered its verdict in 1999, declaring that the 11 acres belonged to the temple and not to any private individual. However, villagers and devotees claim that no effective steps have been taken to recover the property even after 29 years.
Hindu Munnani district leader Mariyappan said he submitted a complaint to the HR&CE Commissioner’s office in 2023 seeking implementation of the order. He added that the Madurai Bench later directed that the land be recovered within eight weeks.
Citing a letter sent to him in January 2025 by the temple’s executive officer, Mariyappan said 20 encroachers had been identified and a report was submitted to the HR&CE Assistant Commissioner for action. He alleged that when officials attempted an inspection, a group of encroachers prevented it, and a police complaint was to be filed. He further claimed the encroached area includes the temple’s chariot route, which is opened only during festival days and otherwise kept blocked, and urged the Tamil Nadu government to intervene and restore the land to the temple.
