Devaswom boards in Kerala

Devaswom (Sanskrit: Property of God) are socio-religious trusts in India that comprise members nominated by both government and community. Their aim is to manage Hindu temples and their assets and to ensure their smooth operation in accordance with traditional rituals and customs. The devaswom system notably exists in the state of Kerala, where most temples are either managed by Government of Kerala-controlled devaswoms or formed by private bodies/families. The properties of each temple are deemed to be the personal property of the presiding deity the temple and are managed through a body of trustees who bear allegiance to the presiding deity.

The four Kerala devaswoms (Guruvayur, Travancore, Malabar and Cochin) together manage nearly 3000 temples.

The four devaswoms (Guruvayur, Travancore, Malabar and Cochin) earn about Rs. 1000 crore annually

Ettumanoor Siva Temple (60)
Malayalappuzha Devi Temple (5.75)

Travancore Devaswom Board is an autonomous body formed as per the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1950. It is one of the oldest Devaswom Board, as a successor to Travancore Royal Devaswom Commission. The headquarters of Travancore Devaswom Board is located at Devaswom Complex in Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram. Current president of Ttravancore Devaswom Board is Prayar Gopalakrishnan. Immediately after the British take over of Travancore, all temples till then, managed by different communities and families were confiscated including all its movable and immovable assets and put under the control of one institution with top control resting with the British resident. This also lead to the bhrahminical worship in all temples. The Sabarimala temple, is the largest and most important temple of Travancore Devaswom board. The second largest temple under this board is Chettikulangara Devi temple at Mavelikkara. The Constitution of the Board was based on the covenant entered into by the King of Travancore. The current president is Shri. Prayar Gopalakrishnan. Sabarimala is the main income source of the board, with Rs.90 crore accruing to it from there during the previous pilgrimage season (Nov.2010-Jan.2011). The income from the rest of the temples in Kerala was Rs.57 crore.

The Board comprises President and two Members, the President and one Member is nominated by the Hindu members of the Kerala Council of Ministers and the other Member from the Hindu Members of State legislature. The term of the President and Members is for a period of three years. The headquarters of the board is in Nanthancode,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

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