HR&CE dept withdraws circular asking priests to submit collection to hundi

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department has withdrawn a circular directing the priests of the Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani temple on Netaji Road in Madurai to deposit the cash collection on archani plates in the temple hundi.

A circular issued by the executive office of the temple became a controversy as it also directed the maniam and guards of the temple to monitor the act of priests. It also warned of action against priests who failed to submit the collection in the hundi.

“There is no need to issue a circular since the priests of the temple have been submitting the collection in the hundi as it is the existing practice,” said K. Chelladurai, Joint Commissioner of the department.

He said the department had also sought explanation from the executive officer why she issued the circular without consulting senior officials.