Court Observation:* The court has ordered an interim injunction restraining the operation of a government order (GO) dated April 26, 2024, transferring control of Yathri Nivas cottage complexes, built using surplus temple funds, to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The court held that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case for the injunction, and the balance of convenience is in favor of the petitioner

[07/12, 08:23] Meta AI: The Madras High Court has stayed the government order transferring control of Yathri Nivas cottage complexes, built using surplus temple funds, to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The court has ordered an interim injunction, restraining the operation of the government order issued on April 26, 2024.

This decision is a significant development in the ongoing debate about the use of temple funds. The Madras High Court has previously ruled that temple funds belong to the deity and cannot be used for commercial purposes or diverted for public projects. The court has emphasized that temple resources should be used solely for religious purposes, such as maintaining temples, conducting festivals, and feeding the poor. ¹ ² ³

The petition was filed by S Vijaynarayanan, manager of a religious mutt in Chennai, who challenged the government’s decision to transfer control of the Yathri Nivas complexes to TTDC. The complexes were built using surplus temple funds, and the government had handed them over to TTDC, which is now running them as commercial hotels and charging steep rates.
[07/12, 08:23] Meta AI: *Madras High Court (Madurai Bench)*

– *Case No.:* W.P.(MD)No. of 2025
– *Judge:* HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE G.R. SWAMINATHAN
– *Parties:*
– Petitioner: S. Vijaynarayanan, Manager, Religious Mutt, Chennai
– Respondent: The State of Tamil Nadu, represented by its Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, and others
– *Date of Order:* 06.12.2025
– *Counsel:*
– For Petitioner: Not Available
– For Respondent: Not Available
– *Court Observation:* The court has ordered an interim injunction restraining the operation of a government order (GO) dated April 26, 2024, transferring control of Yathri Nivas cottage complexes, built using surplus temple funds, to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC). The court held that the petitioner has made out a prima facie case for the injunction, and the balance of convenience is in favor of the petitioner.