Nearly 35,000 gods in Karnataka to become property owners

In a move to streamline temple property management and prevent misuse, Karnataka's state government has expedited the registration of immovable assets, predominantly land, owned by 34,563 temples across the state. This decision is aimed at curbing conflicts arising from ownership disputes and ensuring proper utilization of temple lands, a TOI report stated.

The state's muzrai department reports significant progress in the documentation of properties, especially in Bengaluru, where 10 major temples have undergone registration procedures in the last six months. Bengaluru Rural district leads in the number of registrations, with 156 temple properties, followed by Chikkaballapura at 150. Other districts, including Dakshina Kannada (88), Chamarajanagar (84), and Tumakuru (82), have also witnessed temple property registrations.

The initiative, set in motion in 2020 with a detailed survey and digitization of temple records, gained momentum in 2021 when the government decided to register surveyed properties in the name of the presiding deities. Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy emphasized that the state now holds absolute ownership over these properties, preventing unilateral control by individuals.


Reddy pointed out the historical context, noting that over the centuries, various kingdoms and rulers granted extensive land to temples, with their cumulative value reaching thousands of crores today. Senior BJP MLC N Ravikumar highlighted instances of encroachment on temple properties in Bengaluru, emphasizing the need for a consolidated system similar to how Wakf Board manages Masjid properties.

"In Bengaluru alone, properties worth several crores of rupees in Koramangala and near Big Banyan tree have been encroached by individuals as the properties are with temple trusts," said Ravikumar. "Land and property belonging to temples shall be registered in the name of the presiding deity like the way property belonging to Masjids are handled by the Wakf Board."

The move aims to protect the wealth of temples and prevent misuse, ensuring that these assets contribute to the well-being of the religious institutions they serve.