Temple Development Board Explained

Temple Development Board are statutory and independent bodies created for the governing and management of temples in India. With the passing of the Madras Regulation Act in the year 1817, temples were brought under the control of the East India Company, a corporate organisation. The concept of a temple included its premises and wealth. However, from 1925, temples were brought under government control with the passing of the State Religious and Charitable Endowments Act. Under this Act, the state governments exercised power for the formation of temple development boards for major temples with the members from local city.

Composition

A temple development board includes a chairman, vice chairman, and other members appointed by the state government.^{[1] [2] [3]}

Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of a temple development board include the following:^{[4] [5] [6] [7] [8]}

• Ensuring performance of rituals.
• Development and maintenance of temples in other towns.
• Ensuring security of the temple property.
• Ensuring welfare of pilgrims.
• Look after welfare of staff.
• Hygiene preparation of Prasad.
• Road Maintenance and drinking water supply in premises.

Major Temple Development Boards

• Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) - dedicated to Lord Lainingthou Sanamahi and other ancient Meitei deities - headquartered in Imphal West district, Manipur
• Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD).
• Yadagirigutta Temple Development Authority (YTDA)

See also

• Temple

Notes and References

1. News: ‘Letting non-Hindus run Hindu temples a mockery of secularism’ . 25 June 2022 . The Sunday Guardian Live . 22 June 2019.
2. News: Indian govt won’t be any different from British if Hindus can’t manage their own temples . 25 June 2022 . ThePrint . 8 April 2019.
3. News: Telangana may not invite PM to Yadadri temple function . 25 June 2022 . Hindustan Times . 21 February 2022 . en.
4. News: Tirupathi temple board to build temple, spiritual centre in J&K, gets land lease for 40 years . 25 June 2022 . ThePrint . 1 April 2021.
5. News: Why India’s temples must be freed from government control . 25 June 2022 . Firstpost . 25 March 2021 . en.
6. News: Firhad Hakim is chairman of Tarakeshwar Development Board, not Mandir Trust . 25 June 2022 . millenniumpost.in . 21 June 2017 . en.
7. News: Mungara . Sunil . Hyderabad: Yadadri temple getting ready for inaugural Hyderabad News - Times of India . 25 June 2022 . The Times of India . 7 December 2021 . en.
8. News: Jammu: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board initiates development of 'Shankaracharya temple' in Katra Jammu News - Times of India . 26 June 2022 . The Times of India . 26 March 2022 . en.