The Madras High Court has constituted a Board of Management to take over the administration of the historic Sri Sabanayagar Temple, popularly known as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, in Tamil Nadu. A Division Bench of Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice E. Manoharan passed the order on October 30, 2026, citing concerns over heritage conservation, temple property management and financial accountability.
Background
The dispute arose from three writ petitions challenging Tamil Nadu Government Order G.O.(Ms) No. 115, dated May 17, 2022, which permitted devotees to climb the Kanagasabai Mandapam for darshan of Lord Nataraja. The Podhu Dikshitars, who administer the temple's religious affairs, questioned the government's authority to issue the order.
The proceedings also examined alleged damage to the temple's ancient structures, the management of its properties and the maintenance of accounts.
The Bench found that concerns extended beyond devotees' access to the Kanagasabai. It examined constructions within the temple, property management and the accounts submitted by the temple authorities.
The Court observed:
"The secular and non-religious activities connected to the public temple carried by the Dikshitars warrants immediate supervision by highly qualified at the same time independent body."
On the need for corrective administrative measures, the Bench held:
"Therefore, we constitute a Board of Management consisting of domain experts, who will take over the administration, till the ill is cured."
The Board will be chaired by retired Justice V. Bharathidasan, with retired Justice R. Suresh Kumar as co-chairman. Its responsibilities include ensuring fair access to darshan, removing unauthorised constructions in consultation with heritage experts, recovering encroached temple properties, maintaining proper accounts and safeguarding valuables.
The Court directed the Board to take charge forthwith, with assistance from the Revenue and Public Works Departments.
It disposed of the writ petitions and closed the connected miscellaneous petitions without costs.
