'Temple Not a Picnic or Tourist Spot': Madras HC On Entry of Non-Hindus In Tamil Nadu Temples

The Madras high court on Tuesday directed the Tamil Nadu government and the state Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR&CE) department to not allow non-Hindus inside the Palani temple and its sub-temples in the state, saying that they are “not a picnic or tourist spot”. A bench led by Justice S Srimathy asked the state government to install boards in all Hindu temples indicating "non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple after Kodimaram" - at the entrance of the temples, near the flagpole and at prominent places in the shrine.

The court was hearing a plea from D Senthilkumar - organiser of Palani hill temple devotees organisation - who sought directions to permit only Hindus to the Arulmigu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple and sub-temples.

“The respondents are directed not to allow the non-Hindus who do not believe in Hindu religion. If any non-Hindu claims to visit a particular deity in the temple, then the respondents shall obtain an undertaking from the said non-Hindu that he has faith in the deity and he would follow the customs and practices of the Hindu religion and also abide by the temple customs and on such undertaking, the said non-Hindu may be allowed to visit the temple,” the court ruled.