The properties of Pudukottai Rajakumarar Dakshinamurthy Durairaja Durairani Trust were endowed not only for the benefit of Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple but also for Alagarkoil, Madurai Veeran worship and educational scholarships for deserving students.

A portion of the trust’s property on Hakkeem Ajmalkhan Road in Madurai was allegedly fraudulently registered in the names of private individuals, following which the Madurai police recently registered an FIR against 19 persons on a complaint of the Executive Officer of the temple.

According to the trust deed, the income from Ashoka Vilas, a bungalow, and the adjoining garden on Alagarkoil Road was earmarked for the daily offering of curd rice (thayir saadham) to Goddess Meenakshi and its distribution to eight devotees.

The will also stipulated that the income should be utilised to provide a silk sari and blouse to Goddess Meenakshi and a silk dhoti to Lord Sundareswarar during Vasantha Utsavam held in the Tamil month of Chithirai.

The trust, registered in 1930 at Saidapet Sub-Registrar’s Office, also provided for the conduct of Sahasranama Archana, along with a food offering, during Navaratri, with an allocation of ₹100.

The income generated from the trust’s other properties was to be utilised for performing archana in the name of the Durairani at the Kallalagar Temple, followed by the offering and distribution of food to devotees. The deed also made provision for archana to Lord Nataraja, food offerings and distribution of meals to mendicants.

During Vinayaka Chaturthi, one padi (approximately 1.5 kg) of sundal was to be offered to Mukkurni Pillaiyar. The trust also earmarked ₹15 each towards a sandalwood kumbam and a set of clothes for Madurai Veeran during Deepavali.

The trust extended its charitable activities beyond temple rituals. It directed that scholarships be awarded to two poor students who secured the first and the second ranks in the Intermediate examination and enrolled in B.A. programme at Madurai Hindu College. The financial assistance was to continue until they completed their degree.

The trust deed also provided for the feeding of 100 poor people during the annual tithi (death anniversary rites) of the Durairani and her husband.

The detailed provisions of the trust deed illustrate that the endowment was intended to support a wide range of religious, charitable and educational activities, underscoring the significance of the properties now at the centre of the alleged fraudulent registration case.

Published - July 28, 2026 07:34 pm IST