Claim Of 2000 Acres Sold By Dikshitars Emerged After Madras HC's Inquiry Into Low Revenue From Chidambaram Temple Lands: TR Ramesh

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) department on 19 September claimed that the Podu Dikshitars, who control the Nataraja temple in Chidambaram had sold 2000 acres of the temple’s land.

The claim left people shocked. People questioned if such a sale took place and wondered if it was a ploy of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government to take over the temple.

Temple activist T R Ramesh, who has taken on the HRCE department over several issues like misuse of temple funds and illegal constructions stated that this was completely untrue:

In a post on X, he wrote, "Today, the Government Pleader for @tnhrcedept told a BLATANT LIE - without any sense of remorse or abashment - that the Dikshitars sold 2000 acres out of the 3347 acres endowed to Chidambaram Sri Nataraja Temple. This is a TOTAL LIE. If the Govt Pleader puts this in an affidavit - he will be risking perjury.”

Furthermore, he stated that the 3000 acres of temple land were under the control of a Special Tasildhar for temple lands, who reports to the HRCE Commissioner. The claim that the Podu Dikshitars sold 2000 acres of temple land arose when the court questioned the government pleader about the minimal revenue generated from the lands.

"The Special Tasildhar is under the control of the HR&CE Commissioner. When the Hon'ble Bench questioned the Govt Pleader regarding the poor collection, he immediately came out with a falsehood - Dikshitars have sold away 2000 of the 3000 acres.

"This @tnhrcedept - looters of Hindu Temples - thrives on FRAUD and FALSEHOODS. I will expose them thoroughly in the Courts."

Also Read: Why Is The Chidambaram Temple Regularly In News? It's Not Hard To Guess