SC stays Madras HC order on temple in Chidambaram

5 NOVEMBER 2026

Questioning whether State High Courts had parens patriae (guardian) jurisdiction only over public temples and not places of worship of other faiths, the Supreme Court stayed October 30 Madras High Court order constituting a Board of Management to administer the Sabanayagar Temple (Natarajar Temple) in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
The October 30 High Court order said the Podhu Dikshidar (a hereditary community of priests) had maladministered the temple ever since its administration was handed over to them following orders passed by the Supreme Court in 2014.
The Board, in consultation with the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission, was ordered to undertake the removal of unauthorised constructions put up on the temple premises that caused damage to the ancient structure.
The High Court Bench had tasked the Board with taking steps to retrieve the temple properties under encroachment, with the help of the district administration.