HC bans entry of non-Hindus in temples, says temple is not a tourist spot

The Madras High Court directed the Hindu Religion and Charitable Endowments Department of the Tamil Nadu government to put up boards in all Hindu temples. It is written in this order that non-Hindus are not allowed to go beyond the 'Kodimaram' i.e. flagpole area in the temples. The court said that Hindus also have the right to believe and follow their religion. Justice S Srimathi of the Madurai bench of the High Court gave this decision while hearing the petition of D. Senthil Kumar.

Senthil Kumar had sought a direction from the respondents to allow only Hindus to visit the Arulmigu Palani Dhanadayuthapani Swamy Temple and its sub-temples. He had also requested instructions to install boards in this regard at all the entrances of the temples. Lord Murugan Temple is located at Palani in Dindigul district. Accepting the petition, the court directed the defendants to put up boards at the entrance of the temples, near the flagpole and at prominent places in the temple, adding that 'non-Hindus are not allowed to go beyond Kodimaram inside the temple'. It is written.

The court said, 'If a non-Hindu visits a temple, the authorities will have to take an affidavit from the person that he has faith in the deity. He will follow the customs and practices of the Hindu religion and will also follow the temple rituals. Justice S Srimathi also ruled that such undertakings would be recorded in a register maintained by the temple authorities.