Below is supplemental sequel to my earlier subject blogpost (https://mksudarshans.blog/2026/05/30/the-fig-leaf-of-sovereign-guarantee-tamil-nadus-temple-fund-dilemma-and-a-path-to-justice/). It addresses the critical question: What do we do with surplus temple funds? Temple funds must be invested, not hoarded. But the government’s solution—coercing investment in state NBFCs—is wrong. Multiple safe alternatives exist, and trustees—not the government—must decide.” M.K.Sudarshan (Temple Worshipper, Author, Historian, Observer-Commentator onContinue reading ““What Do We Do With Surplus Temple Funds?”- The Fig Leaf of Sovereign Guarantee: (A Supplementary post)”
Category Archives: tamil nadu temples HR&CE dept
The Fig Leaf of Sovereign Guarantee: Tamil Nadu’s Temple Fund Dilemma and a Path to Justice
A Constitutional Crisis Disguised as Fiscal Prudence by M.K.Sudarshan (Temple Worshipper, Author, Hindu religious affairs observer-commentator and a Charteted Accountant) Published: May 30, 2026 Introduction: The Sacred and the Secular Collide The Madras High Court is currently seized with a Public Interest Litigation that strikes at the heart of a question that has haunted India’sContinue reading “The Fig Leaf of Sovereign Guarantee: Tamil Nadu’s Temple Fund Dilemma and a Path to Justice”
A tale of Two Cities = A tale of Two Sects— A simplified version of the original review
AMARUVI DEVANATHAN MAY 26, 2026 Dear Reader, Two Class 8 children wanted me to re-write my original review in a simpler form so that they could understand in full. Hence this. Who are the Vadakalais and Thenkalais? Where do they come from? Why do they fight in Indian courts on completely insignificant matters? From whenContinue reading “A tale of Two Cities = A tale of Two Sects— A simplified version of the original review”
Ruins of the “Thanian War”: A Dialogue at Mahabalipuram”
Prologue Mahabalipuram is where the past becomes a touristic afterthought. The Pallava‑era rock cavities, the carved monoliths, the half‑ruined shrines—all stand serene under the coastal sky, admired for their stone, not their sacrament. Visitors pass by, take photographs, sip tea outside the temple, and move on. The devotion that once gave these stones life isContinue reading “Ruins of the “Thanian War”: A Dialogue at Mahabalipuram””
An Open Letter to Tiru. S. Ramesh, the new Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), Government of Tamil Nadu.
To, Tiru. S. RAMESH, The Honorable Minister for HR&CE,Government of Tamil Nadu,Fort St. George, Chennai. Subject: A Strategic Roadmap for Digital Transparency, Asset Protection, and Heritage Reform in Our Temples. Respected Minister, Allow me to congratulate you on your appointment to this vital ministry. As you take charge of managing over 40,000 temples and religiousContinue reading “An Open Letter to Tiru. S. Ramesh, the new Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), Government of Tamil Nadu.”
Tenkalai and Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas’ endless legal battle: Can a Phyrric victory for either side erase the “writing on the wall” for both?
Pyrrhic means a victory won at such a devastating cost that it’s almost a defeat. King Pyrrhus of Epirus: his army suffered huge losses winning battles against the Romans, leaving him too weak to continue. It describes any success that ultimately proves worthless due to the immense price paid, like winning a lawsuit but losing everything in legalContinue reading “Tenkalai and Vadakalai Sri Vaishnavas’ endless legal battle: Can a Phyrric victory for either side erase the “writing on the wall” for both?”
PART- 2 of 2 (CONCLUDED): Did a flawed, ill-conceived legal strategy result in Vadakalais losing their case in the Madras High Court over their rights in Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple ?
The 1910 decree did certainly establish the legal framework that later, in Kanchipuram right until Nov 28, 2025, became as reported, the single most compelling reason why the Madras High Court relied upon it as overriding precedent governing the religious rights, honours, and rituals of the Tenkalai and Vadakalai sects in all major temples suchContinue reading “PART- 2 of 2 (CONCLUDED): Did a flawed, ill-conceived legal strategy result in Vadakalais losing their case in the Madras High Court over their rights in Kanchi Varadaraja Perumal temple ?”
“Mudhal Mariyaadhai”, “primus inter pares” and a religious community’s “mos majorum”
Please scroll right down below to read a summary of the above verdict delivered by the Madras High Court in the matter of dispute over claims to rights of “Mudhal mariyadhai” in the Arulmigu Sri Kallazhagar Kovil , in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It could be argued that this verdict is blatant overturning of the wellContinue reading ““Mudhal Mariyaadhai”, “primus inter pares” and a religious community’s “mos majorum””
Hindu Temple funds: The crass casuistry of Dravidianist intellectualism in “The Hindu”
THE HINDU- Monday, July 21, 2025: Opinion: Recently, a political controversy erupted in Tamil Nadu on the issue of diverting temple funds for building colleges. Scroll down below to read an Op-Ed (Propaganda) that was published by The Hindu yesterday . This Op-Ed piece is a classic example of the kind of casuistry that theContinue reading “Hindu Temple funds: The crass casuistry of Dravidianist intellectualism in “The Hindu””
The “Tolkappiyam” and Melkote Tirunarayanapuram: sombre thoughts
In 2017 , I had darshan of Lord Narasimha the deity on the sacred hill of Melkote . From the ramparts of the temple I took the opportunity to shoot a video clip of the lush green and vast landscape around Tirunarayana Puram. What a marvellous panoramic breathtaking scenery! In Sri Vaishnava sampradayam we callContinue reading “The “Tolkappiyam” and Melkote Tirunarayanapuram: sombre thoughts”