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166
Chapter 4
Administration of Devaswom Boards
and Temples in Kerala
4.1 Introduction
Temple, according to Oxford dictionary, is an edifice or place devoted to
divine worship. Each community call it differently- Church by Christians, Mosque
or Masjid by Muslims, Pagoda by Bhuddhists, Gurudwara by Sikhs, etc. Even
among Hindus the temples have different names at different places, such as
Ambalam, Devalaya, Kovil, Mandiram, Devasthanam, etc. For an ordinary Hindu, it
is threshold to Bhakthi, which leads to Moksha or final liberation. (Jayashanker,
1997)1
India has an ancient civilization that is preserved in its religion, customs,
traditions and architecture. It has a distinctive culture and a way of life. It abounds in
temples that would certainly attract many visitors. The geographic land of India has
several marks of faith spread all across its length and breadth. “India has two million
gods, and worships them all. In religion all other countries are paupers; India is the
only millionaire.” Mark Twain (Top 30 famous temples in India, 2015)2. Indian
religion especially Hindu faith offers numerous gods and goddesses to seek
blessings from.
Temples in Kerala extends from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasarakode with
varying shrines. The temples in Kerala have been all the time an amazing factor for
its uniqueness in structure, rituals, tradition, offerings, festivals, customs etc. Some
of these are even connected with our great epics, the Ramayana and the
Mahabharatha. The national agenda for us, therefore, shall be to preserve and
nurture this invaluable tradition that has been bequeathed to us from time
immemorial and thereby to uphold the greatness of our culture. An average Keralite
167
hindu feels that their day starts with the prayer and offering in the temple with a bath
either in the pond nearby or in the house itself with a divine circumstance.
All temples of Kerala are managed by Devaswoms. Devaswom means
properties of god (Deva means God and Swom mean ownership in Sanskrit). Thus it
is a social system, by which all properties of each temple are declared as personal
property of presiding deity of each temple and managed through a body of trustees
who bear allegiance to the presiding deity.
4.2 Devaswom/Brahmaswom/Rajaswom
The word dewaswom is used in Isaanasiva Gurudeva Paddathi (Kriyapaada,
patala 20, sloka 16) which indicates that Devaswom covers village temples, cows
belonging to them, etc. Dewaswom is a socio-religious trust with government or
society /community nominated members as trustees to manage temples and its assets
and ensure smooth functioning of temple as per traditional rituals and customs. This
system is normally found in Kerala, where almost all temples are either managed by
Government controlled Dewaswoms as a cluster for temples which falls under its
direct administration or formed by private bodies / families.
The system of forming Devaswoms is relatively new, a practice started in
late 17th century. Prior to that, most temples either had Brahmaswoms or
Rajaswoms. In the Brahmaswoms system, each temple and all of its assets are
considered to be the private property of its chief priest, normally from Brahmin
Nampoothiri families. Rajaswoms are, where the properties belong to ruling feudal
lords or Nair families or even small royal families. This system has created intense
corruption as well as political rivalry, especially in case of Rajaswom ruled temples,
thus losing sanctity. In many cases during wars, the rival army targets the temples,
as the opening of the temple gates to a rival army signals the defeat of ruling family.
4.3 Acts governing Temple Administration in Kerala
Kerala state is comprised of the regions taken from the erstwhile Malabar
and South Kanara districts of Madras Presidency and the Travancore- Cochin State.
The Acts and regulations which were in force in the respective regions were
168
continued to be followed in the newly constituted Kerala state. So far no uniform
law has been made though the matter is in the active consideration of the
Government. The temples in Kerala are governed by the Act of 1950 and 1951.
In addition a separate enactment (Act of 25 of 1971) was made for the Sree
Krishna Temple. This Act was nullified by an order of the High Court of Kerala.
Therefore subsequently an ordinance was issued in 1977 (25 of 1977) which was
replaced by an amended Act in 1978(Act 14 of 1978). This Act came into force on
21st March 1980. By a separate notification No Go (MS) 828/81/RD dated 25th July
1981 the Government of Kerala amended the Rules for depositing the amounts
received by Guruvayur Devaswom in all Co- operative Urban Banks or Scheduled
Banks. The Act of 1950 and 1951 provides for the constitution of Travancore,
Cochin and Malabar Devaswom Boards in Kerala. However, the old concepts of
Malabar, Cochin, and Travancore still persist in the Statute Book. The Act in force
and their jurisdiction are given in table 4.1.
Table 4.1 Important Acts related with temple administration in Kerala
Sl No Act name District/Area (1996)
1 The Act XIX of 1951 (Madras) as amended in 1954
Kasaragod, Kannur, Wayanad, Kozhikode, Malappuram districts and Palakkad (excluding portion of ChitturTaluk) district, ChavakkaduTaluk of Thrissur District and portion of Cochin Taluk of Ernakulam District.
2 Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institution Act, 1950 (Act of XV1950)
Portion of ChitturTaluk (which formed part of erstwhile Cochin State), Ernakulam district(excluding portion of Cochin Taluk) and Idukki, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.
3 GuruvayurDevaswom Act of 1978 (Act 14 of 1978)
Sree Krishna Temple Guruvayur and its Keezhedams(minor temples administred by them)
(Source: Compiled from (Jayashanker, 1997) 3
169
4.4 Organisation Structure of Devaswom Boards in Kerala
The four devaswoms Boards (Guruvayur, Travancore, Malabar and Cochin)
together manage nearly 3000 temples in Kerala. The organization structure of
Devaswom Boards in Kerala are given in Figure 4.1
Figure 4.1
Organisation structure of Devaswom Boards in Kerala
Devaswom Minister
Chief Secretary
Additional Secretary, Revenue (Devaswom)
Devaswom Commissioner
Managing Committee
4.5 Devaswom Boards in Kerala
The administration and /or supervision of temples under the Kerala state are
entrusted with five basic Devaswom Boards namely Travancore Devaswom Board
(TDB), Cochin Devaswom Board(CDB), Koodal Manikyam Devaswom Board
(KDB), Guruvayur Devaswom Board(GDB) and Malabar Devaswom Board (MDB).
(Govt. of Kerala, 2012)4Four important Devaswom Boards (TDB, CDB, GDB and
MDB) and their functions are separately analysed.
170
4. 5. 1 Travancore Devaswom Board
Travancore Devaswom Board is an autonomous body formed under
Travancore Hindu Religious Institution Act “XV” of 1950. It is entrusted with the
task of administering 1249 temples in the erstwhile princely state of Travancore
comprised in the state of Kerala which were earlier administered by the ruler of
Travancore prior to the integration of the princely state of Travancore and Cochin in
1949. The Constitution of the Board was based on the Covenant entered into by
Maharaja of Travancore in May 1949 and concurred and guaranteed by the
Government of India.
The Board comprises of President and two members. One member shall be
nominated by the Hindus among the council of Ministers and the other member shall
be elected by the Hindus among the members of the Legislative Assembly of the
State of Kerala. The term of President and members is for a period of three years. It
has a Secretariat and its headquarters is at Nanthencode, Thiruvananthapuram,
headed by the Secretary of the Board. Sabarimala temple also has been administered
by it. The second largest temple under this board is Chettikulangara temple at
Mavelikkara. The Constitution of the Board was based on the covenant entered into
by the King of Travancore.
4.5.1.1 Administration of Travancore Devaswom Board
The administration of Travancore Devaswom Board is mainly carried out
through Board members who are assisted by commissionerate and various
departments under it. The administration divisions (Travancore Devaswom Board,
2015)5 under Travancore Devaswom Board consists of :
1. Board: Consists of President and two members
2. Commissionerate: is headed by Devaswom Commissioner and assisted by
seven Deputy commissioners namely Pension and Service Grevance and
Redressel Cell ( P&SGR) , Administration, Inspection, Thiruvananthapuram,
Pattanamthitta, Harippadu and Vaikam.
3. Accounts: is headed by Devaswom Accounts Officer
171
4. Audit: under Finance and accounts officer
5. Works Department: Headed by Chief engineer in General and one chief
engineer
6. Sabarimala Executive Office: Headed by Special Commissioner
7. Law Department
8. Vigilance and Security
9. Cultural Department
10. Thiruvabharanam
4.5.1.2 Administrative Offices under the Travancore Devaswom Board
Administrative offices under the Travancore Devaswom Board are twenty
one under the charge of Assistant Devaswom Commissioner except Sabarimala
(Executive Officer). In addition to Executive Officer there is Special Commissioner
for Sabarmala Group. Sabarimala Group includes Sabarimala Devaswom, Pamba
Devaswom and Nilakkal Devaswom. The administrative offices under Travancore
Devaswom Board include:
1) Neyyattinkara Group-
2) Thiruvananthapuram Group
3) Ulloor Group
4) Varkala Group
5) Kollam Group
6) Punaloor Group
7) Kottarakkara Group
8) Karunagappalli Group
9) Ambalappuzha Group
10) Mavelikkara Group
11) Harippadu Group
12) Aranmula Group
13) ThiruvallaGoup
14) Mundakayam Group
15) Changanassery Group
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16) Kottayam Group
17) Ettumanoor Group
18) Vaikom Group
19) Thrikkariyoor Group
20) Paravoor Group
21) Sabarimala Group
4.5.1.3 Important Temples under the Board
Temples under the TDB are categorised under four heads namely Grade I,
Grade II, Grade III and PD temples. In Grade I temples there is more than three
poojas daily and the temples are opened in the morning and evening. Grade II
temples are opened in the morning and evening and Grade III temples are opened
only once in a day. PD(personal Deposit) Temples are those where accounting is
done seperately as per rules. Grade wise distribution of temples are presented in
Table 4.2.
Table 4.2 Grade-wise temples under Travancore Devaswom Board
Sl no Grade Number of temples Percentage
1 Grade I Temples 237 19
2 Grade II Temples 479 38
3 Grade III Temples 481 39
4 Personal Deposits 52 4
Total 1249 100 Source: (Travancore Devaswom Board, 2013)6
Out of 1249 temples under the administration of the Board, 237 temples are
Grade I temples. Grade III temples are more under the TDB, that is, 481/1249
which constitute 39% of total. Grade II Temples are in the second place as regards
number, ie 479/1249 (38%). PD temples are very less and it constitutes only 4% of
total.Pie diagram showing gradewise temples under TDB are givenin figure 4.2.
173
4.5.2 Cochin Devaswom Board
The political sovereignty of Zamorin over Cochin ceased by 937 ME (1762
AD) consequent on signing the Treaty by Travancore and Cochin. The immediate
impact as stated earlier was the confiscation of properties of Yogaathiri and
Ooraalaars and thereby the temples managed by them came under the administration
of Sarkkar (Government). Subsequently several other minor temples were also taken
over by the Sarkkar on the ground of mismanagement. Thus large number of
temples came under the management of the Sarkkar.
However, Col. Munroe, the British Resident and whom later appointed as
Diwan of Cochin in 1812, was responsible for bringing effective controls on
temples. Col. Munroe recommended that all Dewaswom properties and the revenue
from Devaswom should be merged with the general revenues of the State. Further
for meeting expenditure of the temples Pathiv (ie scale of expenditure on
Uthsavams, remuneration to temple staff, maintenance charges etc) was instituted.
These recommendations were accepted by the Maharaja. A committee was
constituted to study its implications in 990 KE (1815). After a study of 309
Devaswoms, 179 Devaswoms in Cochin states were classified as Vazhipaat
19%
38%
39%
4%
Figure 4.2Doughnut showingGrade wise temples under Travanccore
DevaswomBoard
Grade I Temples
Grade II Temples
Grade III Temples
P D temples
174
Devaswoms. This was a major step by the Government which resulted in the
acquisition of temple lands and interference in temple administration.
All these 179 temples were known as ‘incorporated Devaswoms’ of which
24 were treated as Keezhetams (subordinates to a more important temple).
Subsequently, either due to mismanagement by Ooraalaars or under some other
pretext, some more temples were taken over by the Sarkkar though their funds were
kept separately. Each such Devaswom was called ‘unincorporated Devaswom’. In
1702 ME (1897) a separate Devaswom Department was formed under a
superintendent and all incorporated and unincorporated devaswoms were brought
under it.
Ten years later in1907 these incorporated and unincorporated Dewaswoms
were merged by a later amendment in 1916. A common Trust Fund was constituted
as an endowment. Moreover they were classified into four groups, viz,
Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur, Thirivanchikulam and Trippunithura. In 1909 new
executive staff like Inspectors, Kariakkars, Muthalpitis, Accountants, etc were
appointed.
Under Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act of 1906, the Government
took over the management of Devaswoms which were mismanaged. Such
institutions were called ‘assumed Devaswoms’. The head of the Department
hitherto, known as Superintendent was re-designated as Commissioner on 1st
November 1926.
Consequent to the integration of princely states of Travancore and Cochin,
the administration of Devaswoms in the Cochin state come under the Cochin
Devaswom Board (CDB) constituted on 1ST August 1949 under the Articles of the
Covenant entered in to by the Rulers of Cochin and Travancore on 23 d June 1949.
Both the groups Devaswoms and assumed Devaswoms were brought under the
Board, first by an Ordinance and later by the Travancore- Cochin Hindu Religious
Act of 1950. On 16 th June 1950 the Board was reconstituted again. Apart from those
temples governed by the CDB a large number of private temples (known as
Ooraanma temples) exist in Cochin area. Those private temples which get grant
175
from Cochin Dewaswom Board are also known as Vazhipaat Devaswoms. Cochin
Devaswom Board is a socio-religious trust appointed by the Kerala Government to
look after Hindu temples in Central Kerala consisting of Ernakulam District,
Thrissur District and Palakkad District. It is headquartered in Thrissur city.
4.5.2.1. Administrative Structure of Cochin Devaswom Board
Cochin Devaswom Board is ruled by a Managing Committee consisting of
three members. The managing committee or board consists of three Hindu members.
The Kerala Cabinet can nominate two persons and Hindu members in the Cabinet
can nominate one person. According to the Act, any person, including a woman,
who is a Hindu, thirty five years of age and a resident of the Kerala state can become
a member of the board.
Figure 4.3
Administrative Structure of Cochin Devaswom Board
Chief Commissioner- CDB- 1
Special Devaswom Commissioner -1
Secretary -1
Devaswom Asst. Commissioners - 5
Managers &Managing Committees of Temples
Source: (Cochin Devaswom Board, 2012)7
176
4.5.2.2 Divisions/ Groups under the Cochin Devaswom Board
The board is divided in to two sections, namely Establishment section and
Temple section. The Establishment section is in charge of the administration
whereas the Temple section handles routine rituals and functions of the temples. The
temple section consists of the priests and other temple functionaries. The
Establishment section is further divided into four sections- Department of
Administration, Department of Finance, Department of maintenance and the stores
Department. There are five divisions namely one Special Devaswom- Chottanikkara
and four Groups namely Thrissur, Thiruvillamamla, Thiruvanchikulam and
Trippunithura. The Thrissur Division is the biggest of Cochin Devsawom Board and
Thrippunithura division is the smallest.
Table 4.3 Division wise temples under Cochin Devaswom Board
Serial Number Name Sub Groups
Number Number
of temples Percentage
1 Special Devaswom-Chottanikkara 1 1 0.2
2 Thrissur group 18 126 31.3
3 Thiruvilwamala 14 114 28.4
4 Thiruvanchikulam 18 98 24.4
5 Trippunithura 12 63 15.7
Total 73 402 100.0 Source: (Cochin Devaswom Board, 2013)8
Thrissur group consists of 31.3% of total temples under the Board and
Trippunithura has only 15.7% of the temples.
4.5.2.3 Category wise Temples under Cochin Devaswom Board
The Cochin Devaswom Board’s classification of temples is not based on any
strict criteria. Income, importance and convenience are taken for classification of
177
temples in to groups A, B, etc. However in appointing priests (Santhikkars) different
grouping are adopted as per the directions of Supreme Court. Such a classification
on the basis of Grade of posts is given in Table 4.4.
Table 4.4 Category wise temples under Cochin Devaswom Board
Sl.No. Grade Number of temples Percentage
1 Temples having Grade A posts 42 10.45
2 Temples having Grade B posts 76 18.91
3 Temples having Grade C posts 255 63.43
4 Temples having Grade D posts 29 7.21
Total 402 100.00 Source: (Cochin Devaswom Board, 2012)9
The table above shows that majority of the temples (63.43%) under Cochin
Devaswom Board belong to Grade C followed by Grade B (18.71%), Grade A
(10.45%) and Grade C (7.21%). This grade wise list was approved in 16-9-2008 by
the CDB. The list and the criteria are not revised till date. The grade-wise temples
are shown in Figure 4.4.
11%
19%
63%
7%
Figure 4.4Doughnut showing Category wise temples under Cochin
Devaswom Board
Temples having Grade A posts
Temples having Grade B posts
Temples having Grade C posts
Temples having Grade D posts
178
4.5.2.4 Control Institutions under CDB
In addition to temples under the direct management and control of the CDB,
there are certain institutions as control institutions under the CDB. These are the
institutions in which CDB have only auditing control. Taluk-wise list of these
institutions are given in the Table 4.5.
Table 4.5 Taluk wise Control Institutions under Cochin Devaswom Board
Sl no. Name of Taluk Number of institutions Percentage
1 Chittur 14 4.7
2 Thalappilly 79 26.5
3 Thrissur 76 25.5
4 Kodungallur 8 2.7
5 Mukundapuram 72 24.2
6 Kanayannur 32 10.7
7 Cochin 17 5.7
Total 298 100.0 Source: (Cochin Devaswom Board, 2013)10
The highest percentage of these control institutions are in the Thalappilly
Taluk and the least in Kodungallur Taluk (2.7%). Pie chart showing the Taluk wise
control institutions is given in Figure 4.5.
179
4.5.3 Malabar Devaswom Board
The first direction or enactment relation to formation in of MDB came into
force in 1817 (Madras Regulation VII of 1817). According to it the British
Government, by virtue of its sovereign power, continued to enforce their right to
visit and supervise endowments and prevent abuse of power which had hitherto been
enjoyed by local rulers. This regulation laid down machinery for supervision
consisting of
i) The board of revenue
ii) Local agents, ie, District collectors and
iii) Trustees, managers and superintendent etc.
The enactment was operated till 1839 when certain Christian zealots and
religious propagandists in the United Kingdom agitated urging the Government of
Madras to refrain from administering the Hindu temples and Muslim mosques as
their administration would not fall under the function of the Government. As per
decisions of the Court of Directors of the East India Company the control on temples
was not effectively implemented till 1863. The Religious Endowment Act XX 1863
had enabled the Govt. to divest itself of the management of the religious
5%
27%
26%3%
24%
11%6%
Figure 4.5Doughnut showing Taluk-wise control institutions under CDB
ChitturThalappillyThrissurKodungallurMukundapuramKanayannurCochin
180
endowments. But this Act was a failure due to the general attitude of the people.
Subsequently many attempts were made to bring out legislations in the Madras
Legislative Council. Some bills were introduced, but none of the bills was placed in
the Statute Book, though they could bring out some concrete and useful ideas on a
comprehensive legislation.
Keeping these ideas, the Madras Government passed an Act I of 1925 which
repealed the Act of 1863. The Act was however short lived as its validity was
questioned in the Madras High Court. The Govt., therefore, introduced a bill in the
Legislative Council in 1926 and placed it in the Statute book as Madras Hindu
Religious and Endowment Act of 1927. This Act also was amended several times.
After attaining independence, the Congress Ministry of Madras State introduced a
detailed Bill and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act of 1951 was
passed which replaced the Act of 1927. Due to litigations, this Act had also to be
amended by Madras Act of XXI of 1954 and IX of 1956 and later replaced by an
Act of 1959. However as the Kerala State was formed on 1st November 1956 the
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR&CE) Act 1951 as amended by
ACT XXI of 1954 was accepted and made applicable to temple situated in Malabar
District (including KasarkodeTaluk). Though all the temples in the erstwhile
Malabar area are Ooraanma temples they are controlled by HR & CE Department.
Only those temples which are financially sound are administered by the Department.
After the passing of the States Reorganisation Act 1956 (Act No. 37 of 1956),
Malabar district excluding the islands of Lacadives and Minicoy and Kasargod
Taluk of South Kanara district came to be known as Malabar district in the state of
Kerala along with the territories of the existing State of Travancore and Cochin.
Under the legal provision of adaptation Clause in part XI of the Kerala Service Rule
Act, the Madras H.R & C.E Act 1926 came to be under the administrative
supervisory control of the Government of Kerala, and hence under the H.R & C.E
(Admn) Department. The legacies and inroads of the previous temple administration
and traditional aspects materialized the Act No. XIX of 1951in to the molding frame
of the H.R & C.E administration. In addition to the temples to which the H.R & C.E
181
Act was made applicable, considerable number of public religious institutions also
came within the purview of the Act due to the exercise of power of the Government
by notification to extend the provisions of the H.R & C.EAct1956.
The Law of Religious and Charitable Endowments has not undergone any
revolutionary change for quite some time, till the promulgation of Ordinance by
which the provision for constitution of the Malabar Devaswom Board was made by
the H.R & C.E (Amendment) Ordinance of 2008(Ordinance No. 2 of 2008). The
same was re-issued and further the Madras H.R & C.E (Amendment) Act, 2008 (Act
No. 31 of 2008) was enacted. The first MDB consisting of 9 members assumed
office on 2nd October 2008.
The MDB is exercising supervisory control of the temple administration, to
ensure that the funds are utilized for the beneficial interest of that institution, in a
proper, transparent and lawful manner in the same manner as it was done by the H.R
& C.E (Admn) Department. So the temple funds are not utilized for any other
purpose, alien to each temple. Even the Government or the Board have no authority
to take away or transfer the temple money or channelise the fund for Government
functions.
4.5.3.1 Division-wise Temples under Malabar Devaswom Board
Temples under the management of MDB is classified under five divisions
namely Kasarakode, Thalassery, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkadu for easily
supervising the temple affairs and the details are given in Table 4.6.
182
Table 4.6
Division wise temples under Malabar Devaswom Board
Serial Number Name Number of
Taluks Number of
temples Percentage
1 Kasarakod 2 209 15.88
2 Thalassery 4 206 15.65
3 Kozhikode 5 214 16.26
4 Malappuram 8 347 26.37
5 Palakkadu 5 340 25.84
Total 24 1316 100.00 Source: Compiled from (List of Temples , 2014)11
Fifteen to twenty seven percent of temples belong to each division.
Malappuram division (26.37%) has the highest percentage of the temples and
Thalassery the least. The fact is represented in the Figure 4. 6.
16%
16%
16%26%
26%
Figure 4.6Doughnut showing Divisionwise temples under the MDB
Kasarakod
Thalassery
Kozhikode
Malappuram
Palakkadu
183
4.5.3.2 Categorisation of Temples under Malabar Devaswom Board
The temples under the MDB are categorized according to annual earnings of
the temples. ‘Special Grade’ Temples are those whose annual earnings is 75 lakhs or
more. Those whose earnings range between 25 lakhs to 75 lakhs come under ‘Grade
A’ Temples, those with 10 lakhs to 25 lakhs earning under ‘Grade B’ Temples, those
with 3 lakhs to 10 lakhs under ‘C Grade’ and those up to 3 lakhs earnings under
‘Grade D’. The categories are shown in Table 4.7 and in Figure 4.8.
Table 4.7 Grade wise temples under Malabar Devaswom Board
Serial Number Grade Name Number of temples Percentage
1 Special Grade 21 1.59
2 A Grade 34 2.58
3 B Grade 129 9.79
4 C Grade 116 8.81
5 D Grade 1017 77.22
Total 1317 100.00 Source: Compiled from (List of Temples , 2014)12
Most of the temples under MDB are ‘Grade D’ temple (77.22%) whose
annual income is up to Rs 3 lakhs. About 10% ‘B grade’ temples and about 9% ‘C
grade’ temples, about 3 percent ‘A Grade’ temples and only 1.59 percentage special
grade temples are there under the MDB. On the basis of Grade, the temples are
directed to remit annuities to the MDB. The grade wise temples under the
supervisory control of MDB are given in the Figure 4.7.
184
4.5.3.3 Grade- wise and Division wise temples under the Malabar Devaswom
Board
The temples under MDB spread over five divisions and five grades over 7
Districts in Kerala. The table 4.8 gives a picture of the grade and division wise
temples under the MDB.
The Table 4.8 and the Figure 4.8 show that Malappuram division under the
MDB has more temples, especially D grade temples and Kasarakode division has
few D grade temples. Special grade temples are very less in Kozhikode division as
compared to others.B grade temples are less in Malappuram division and the
division does not include any A Grade temples. C grade temples are more in
Kasarakode division and less in Malappuram Division. The number of temples in all
divisions other than D grade is below fifty.
2%2%10%
9%
77%
Figure 4.7Doughnut showingGrade-wise temples under Malabar
Devaswom Board
Special GradeA Grade
B Grade
C Grade
D Grade
185
Table 4.8 Grade and division-wise temples under Malabar Devaswom Board
Sl. No.
Grade Name
Divisions Total Kasara-
gode Thala-ssery
Kozhi-kode
Mala- ppuram
Pala-kkadu
1 Special Grade 6 5 1 6 3 21
2 A Grade 5 4 8 0 17 34
3 B Grade 32 22 26 16 33 129
4 C Grade 35 21 28 7 25 116
5 D Grade 131 154 152 318 262 1017
Total 209 206 215 347 340 1317 Source: Compiled from (List of Temples , 2014)13
Figure 4. 8
Multiple bar diagram showing Grade- wise and Division wise temples under Malabar Devaswom Board
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
Kasaragode Thalassery Kozhikode Malappuram Palakkadu
Special Grade
A Grade
B Grade
C Grade
D Grade
186
4.5.4 Guruvayur Devaswom Board
It is pertinent to point out here that under the scheme framed by the High
Court of Madras in appeal 211 and 212 of 1930 (as modified by District Court,
South Malabar in OS No. 1 of 1938), the administration, control and management of
the temple and its properties and endowments had been vested in the hereditary
trustees, namely the Zamorian Raja of Calicut and the Karanavan, for the time
being, of the Mallissery Illam of Guruvayur.
This position was changed in 1971 by the enactment of Guruvayur
Dewaswom Act of 1971 which was later amended in 1978, replacing the Trusteeship
by a managing committee, nominated by the Hindu Ministers in the State Cabinet.
The day-to-day administration is supervised by an Administrator appointed
by the Government. The Managing Committee include, the Zamorin Raja, the
MallisseriNamboodiri and the Tantri of the temple among others. According to 1978
Act , the Managing Committee consists of 9 members- The Zamorin Raja,
MallisseriNamboodiri, the Tantri, a representative of the employees of the
Dewaswom and five more persons of whom one shall be a scheduled caste member.
The six non- traditional members are appointed by the Hindu Ministers of Kerala
Government of Kerala of which one will be the Chairman of the Managing
Committee. The Committee selects an Administrator from the panel of names given
by the Government.
The Administrative office is functioning in the ‘Sreepadmam’ building at
South Nada. There is a public relations office which functions at ‘SreePadmam’
complex to guide the pilgrims if and when necessary, and to furnish them with every
information pertaining to the temple and the Dewaswom.
4.5.4.1 Subsidiary Temples/ DewaswomKezhedams
There are ten temples that are treated as kezhedams of the Guruvayur
Temple. (Guruvayur Devaswom Board)14
1. Narayanamkulangara Devi Temple, Mammiyur, Thrissur
187
2. Thamarayur Vishnu Temple and Ayyappa temple, Thrissur
3. AnjoorAyyappa Temple, Mundoor, Thrissur
4. Vermannur Siva Temple , Kunissery, Palakkadu (Dist)
5. Manganchira Sree Krishna Temple, Annakkara, Thrissur
6. KunnamkulamThalakkottukara Siva Temple, Kunnamkulam, Thrissur (Dist)
7. Punnathur Siva- Vishnu temple and Bhagavathy temple, Thrissur
8. Kaveed Karthyayani Temple, Thrissur
9. Poonthanam Sri Maha Vishnu Temple, Malappuram
10. Nenmini Balarama and Ayyapa Temple, Thrissur
4.6 Comparison of DBs in Kerala
DBs in Kerala have different nature of working. Even nature of functioning
of the Boards differ and methods and supervisory power and control also differ. DBs
have only supervisory power in certain cases while in others there is full control.
Guruvayur Temple and its kezhedams are managed by GDB while the other three
Boards manage south, central and north area temples under them. The basic points
of differences in the DBs are represented in Table 4.9
188
Table 4.9 Differences in the aspects related to Devaswom Boards
Sl. no
Point of Difference Devaswom Boards TDB CDB MDB GDB
1 Year of Formation 1950 1949 2008 1978 2 Strength of managing
committee President and two members
President and two members The Managing Committee consists of 9 members
The Managing Committee consists of 10 members
3 Offices under the board Thirteen Seventeen Eight one 4 Districts covered 5 (TM, KTM, KLM, PT,
ALZ)* 3 (EKM, TR, PK)** 7 (KOZ, KN,KK,
WN, MPM, PK, EKM)***
3 (TR, MPM, PK)****
5 Preparation of Administration report
As budget Not now Administration report itself
Administration report itself
6
Number of temples under board
1249 402 1317 10 kezhadams and Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple
7 Categorisation of temples under board
4 categories namely Grade I, II, III and Personal Deposit Temples
4 categories for appointment of staff – Grade A post temples, Grade B post temples, grade C post temples and Grade D post temples or others
5 categories namely Special Grade, Grade A, Grade B, Grade C and Grade D.
All are kezhedams
8 Fund pooling Fund pooling- that is directly remitting earnings of temples to the Board fund.
Here also fund pooling exists.
No such pooling. But certain amount is paid like tax to the DB on the earnings annually.
Here also fund pooling exists.
9 Divisions under the DBs 7 4 Main Groups and one special devaswom
5 No such divisions
10 Colleges under the DBs 4 aided and one self- financing
2 aided Nothing Nothing
11 Higher Secondary schools under the DBs
4 Nothing Nothing Nothing
189
Table 4.9 Continued
Differences in the aspects related to Devaswom Boards
12 High Schools 8 1 Nothing Nothing
13 UP 5 Nothing Nothing Nothing
14 LP 5 Nothing Nothing Nothing
15 Central School 4 Nothing Nothing Nothing
16 Other Institutions under the Board
4( kshetra kalapeedam academy -attingal and vaikom, Institute of Art and Architecture at Thrissur, Heritage Museum at Kottarakkara)
Nothing Nothing 2 ( Vadya Vidyalayam, Mural Institute at Guruvayur itself)
(Source: Compiled by the researcher) *(TM- Thiruvananthapuram, KTM- Kottayam, KLM -Kollam, PT- Pathanamthitta, ALZ-Alappuzha) **(EKM-Ernakulam, TR-Thrissur, PK-Palakhadu) ***(KOZ-Kozhikode, KN-Kannur, KK- Kasarkode, WN- Wayanadu, MPM- Malappuram, PK=-Palakhadu, EKM- Ernakulam) ****(TR-Thrissur,MPM-Malappuram,PK-Palakhadu)
190
4.7 Devaswom Board Staff – an Analysis
The efficient functioning of Devaswom Boards are ensured through a team
of staff members. There is no uniformity in the pattern of staff among Devaswom
Boards. Hence it is desirable to examine the staff pattern among Devaswom
Boards.Data regarding nature of staff are collected by administering pre-tested
interview schedule.
DB staffs of the four basic Devaswom Boards, varies from Special
Devaswom Commissioner to Mahouts in certain cases and to Daffedar in other
cases. For the study, the staff of Devaswom Board is classified under four heads
namely Top Officials, Middle Officers, Lower officials and Supporting staff. Special
Devswom Commissioner, Devaswom Commissioner, Commissioner, Assistant
Commissioner, Secretary and Administrator are included under Top Officials.
Middle level Officers consists of Cost and Finance Accounts Officer, Finance and
Accounts Officer, Public Relations Officer, Land Special Officer, Accounts Officer,
Assistant Commissioner Finance (AC-F), Assistant Commisssioner- Bhandharam,
Senior superintendent, Superintendent, Junior superintendent, fair copy
superintendent, Head Accountant, Head Clerk, Executive engineer, Assistant
executive engineer, Assistant Manager, Assistant engineer, Deputy AO, System
Manager and Security Officer . Lower level staff consists of Confidential Assistant,
Selection grade typist, UDC, LDC and Clerks. Gold smith, Peon, security guard and
Defedhar form part of supporting staff. Fifteen staff from each Devaswom Board has
been selected by non probability sampling.
4.7.1 Levels –wise Devaswom Board staff
Level wise classification of staff of Devaswom Board is given in table 4.10.
191
Table 4.10 Level- wise Devaswom Board staff
Board Top
Officials Middle Officers
Lower Officers
Supporting staff Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
MDB 2 13.33 4 26.67 7 46.67 2 13.33 15 100.00
GDB 1 6.67 8 53.33 6 40.00 0 0.00 15 100.00
CDB 1 6.67 10 66.67 3 20.00 1 6.67 15 100.00
TDB 2 13.33 8 53.34 3 20.00 2 13.33 15 100.00
Total 6 10.00 30 50.00 19 31.67 5 8.33 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Out of the sixty staff of the four Devaswom Boards, the highest percentage
are (50%) middle level Officers and the least are supporting level. Lower level
Officers constitute 31.67% of total Board staff. Only 10 % are top level officials and
8.33 % are supporting staff.
Out of middle level officers, the highest percentage (66.67%) belongs to
CDB and lowest to MDB. Top officials are equitably distributed among TDB and
MDB with 13.33%. Likewise top officials percentages are same among GDB and
CDB. Lower levels officials are same in both CDB and TDB. Lower levels officers
are more in MDB.
4.7.2 Age
Age is an important determinant of the efficiency and expertise of staff. The
staff are categorized under five groups on the basis of age, that is, 20-30, 31-40, 41-
50, 51-60 and above 60.
192
Table 4.11
Classification of Devaswom Board staff on the basis of age
Board 20-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 Above 60 Age Totals
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
MDB 2 13.33 1 6.67 7 46.67 5 33.33 0 0.00 15 100.00
GDB 1 6.67 1 6.67 8 53.33 5 33.33 0 0.00 15 100.00
CDB 2 13.33 4 26.67 4 26.67 4 26.67 1 6.67 15 100.00
TDB 1 6.67 1 6.67 7 46.67 3 20.00 3 20.00 15 100.00
Total 6 10.00 7 11.67 26 43.33 17 28.33 4 6.67 60 100.00
Source: Primary data
Majority of the Devaswom Board (43.33%) staff belongs to the age group of
41-50. Only 6.67% belong to the age group of above 60 years. They are retired staff
of various categories on deputation or as temporary staff. 28.33% belong to age
group of 51-60. Only 10% are under the age group of 20-30. This data reveals the
fact that there is no new posting in Devaswom Boards.
53.33% of staff of GDB belongs to age group of 41-50. No staff are there in
the age group of above 60 in GDB and MDB.
4.7.3 Gender
Devaswom Boards employ both male and female staff. The gender wise
classification of employees of Devsawom Board are given in table 4.12
193
Table 4.12 Classification of employees of Devaswom Boards on the basis of gender
Board Male Female Total
No. % No. % No. %
MDB 10 66.67 5 33.33 15 100.00
GDB 13 86.67 2 13.33 15 100.00
CDB 8 53.33 7 46.67 15 100.00
TDB 11 73.33 4 26.67 15 100.00
Total 42 70.00 18 30.00 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Gender wise analysis reveals that 70% of the respondents are males. The
ratio of female staff is less in GDB. The highest percentage of female staff (46.67%)
can be found in Cochin Devaswom Board. Traditionally, most of the temple related
activities are performed by males. As Devaswom Boards are related with temples
and are supposed to supervise and administer the temple affairs, most of the
Devaswom Board staff are males.
4.7.4 Educational Qualification.
Educational qualification affects the quality and potential of staff members.
Hence an attempt has been made to analyse the educational qualification of staff of
Devaswom Board and the result is shown in Table 4.13.
194
Table 4.13 Classification of respondents on the basis of Educational Qualification
Board staff PG Graduate Diploma ITI PLUS II Attend school Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
MDB 5 33.33 5 33.33 0 0.00 1 6.67 0 0.00 4 26.67 15 100.00
GDB 4 26.67 2 13.33 2 13.33 0 0.00 3 20.00 4 26.67 15 100.00
CDB 2 13.33 7 46.67 0 0.00 0 0.00 4 26.67 2 13.33 15 100.00
TDB 5 33.33 8 53.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 2 13.33 15 100.00
Total 16 26.67 22 36.67 2 3.33 1 1.67 7 11.67 12 20.00 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
195
The Table 4.13 indicates that the highest percentages of respondents (36.67%)
are graduates and the least are ITI holders. Among the staff of Devaswom Board,
except the GDB, the highest percentage is graduates. In GDB 26.67% staff are with
PG and attend school category.
4.7.5 Experience
Experienced staff are considered as valuable assets of an organization.
Devaswom Boards are no exception to this. In order to analyse the experience of the
staff of Devaswom Boards, employees are divided in to four categories, namely, less
than one year experience, 1-5 years , 5-10 years and above 10 year and the result is
given in Table 4.14.
Table 4.14 Classification of Devaswom Board Staff on the basis of Experience
Board staff
Years of experience in the DBs Less than 1 1-5 6-10 Above 10 Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % MDB 1 6.67 7 46.67 3 20.00 4 26.67 15 100.00
GDB 4 26.67 4 26.67 4 26.67 3 20.00 15 100.00
CDB 3 20.00 7 46.67 5 33.33 0 0.00 15 100.00
TDB 0 0.00 9 60.00 6 40.00 0 0.00 15 100.00
Total 8 13.33 27 45.00 18 30.00 7 11.67 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
The highest percentage of employees have (45%) an experience of 1-5 years
and 11.67 % have more than 10 years’ of experience. None of the employees in
TDB are below one year and more than 10 years’ experience.
4.7.6 Previous Experience
Since most of the employees have experience outside the Devaswom Boards,
they are divided in to five categories on the basis of previous experience which are
given in Table 4.15.
196
Table 4.15 Classification of respondents on the basis of previous experience
Board staff
Years of Experience
Nil Up to 10 years 10-20 years 20-30 years Above 30 years Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
MDB 6 40.00 4 26.67 3 20.00 2 13.33 0 0.00 15 100.00
GDB 1 6.67 2 13.33 3 20.00 6 40.00 3 20.00 15 100.00
CDB 1 6.67 4 26.67 5 33.33 3 20.00 2 13.33 15 100.00
TDB 2 13.33 1 6.67 3 20.00 6 40.00 3 20.00 15 100.00
Total 10 16.67 11 18.33 14 23.33 17 28.33 8 13.33 60 100.00
Source: Primary data
Analysis reveals that the highest percentage of employees has 20-30 years of
experience in other offices. 16.67% have no previous experience. Among the five
Devaswom Boards, MDB has the highest percentage (40%) of employees who have
no previous experience. In GDB and TDB the highest percentage of employees has
20-30 years of experience.
4.7.7 Selection of Devaswom Board Staff
Selection and appointment of staff in DBs are generally by Kerala Public
Service Commission or by deputation basis or by Devaswom Boards itself. Some
are employed on temporary basis by employment exchange. Result of analysis on
mode of selection and appointment of staff are given in Table 4.16.
197
Table 4.16 Classification of respondents on the basis of Selection of Devaswom Board staff
Board staff
KPSC directly Deputation from other
offices
Employment Exchanges
Devaswom Boards
Dying in Harness Others Total
No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. %
MDB 11 73.33 2 13.33 2 13.33 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 15 100.00 GDB 0 0.00 2 13.33 0 0.00 11 73.33 2 13.33 0 0.00 15 100.00 CDB 0 0.00 1 6.67 0 0.00 9 60.00 4 26.67 1 6.67 15 100.00
TDB 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 11 73.33 3 20.00 1 6.67 15 100.00 Total 11 18.33 5 8.33 2 3.33 31 51.67 9 15.00 2 3.33 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
198
Table above reveals that the highest percentage, ie, 51.67% is selected by the
Board itself. KPSC is involved only in the selection of employees of MDB. In MDB
73.33% are selected by KPSC. Only 8.33% are appointed on deputation basis. 15%
got employment under Dying in harness ground. Other category includes those who
are appointed under special government order. In all Devaswom Boards, except
MDB, the highest percentage is selected by Devaswom Boards itself. In MDB,
KPSC directly recruited about 73 Percent of the staff.
4.7.8 Pre- service training
Training is essential for effective and efficient working of the staff in any
office. Devaswom Boards are no exception to this. Here an attempt has been made
to analyse the employees of DBs on the basis of their participation in pre-service
training.
Table 4.17 Classification of respondents on the basis of pre-service training
Training before the Appointment of the DB Staff
Board Staff attended pre-
service training Staff not attended pre-
service training Total
No. % No. % No. % MDB 6 40.00 9 60.00 15 100.00
GDB 6 40.00 9 60.00 15 100.00
CDB 6 40.00 9 60.00 15 100.00
TDB 3 20.00 12 80.00 15 100.00
Total 21 35.00 39 65.00 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Analysis reveals that only 35% of employees attended training prior to
joining Devaswom Board (Table 4.18). 40% of employees each in MDB, GDB and
CDB attended pre-service training programme.
199
4.7.9 In-service training
Not only pre-service training, but the in-service training of employees is also
significant. Recognising this, an effort has been made to categorise the employees
on the basis of in-service training programmes attended by them.
Table 4.18 Classification of respondents on the basis of in service training
Board staff
Staff attended in-service training
Staff not attended in-service training
Total
No. % No. % No. %
MDB 6 40.00 9 60.00 15 100.00
GDB 9 60.00 6 40.00 15 100.00
CDB 4 26.67 11 73.33 15 100.00
TDB 6 40.00 9 60.00 15 100.00
Total 25 41.67 35 58.33 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Result of analysis shows that 41.67% of staff under DBs attended in-service
training progamme. The highest percentage of employees attended in service
training belongs to GDB followed by MDB and TDB. CDB provided in-service
training only to 26.67% of employees.
4.7.10 Level of job satisfaction
Productivity of employees, to a greater extent depends on job satisfaction.
Job satisfaction depends upon various factors affecting jobs. Job satisfaction is
affected by a number of factors in the organization. Here job satisfaction is
measured in 3 point Likert scale.
200
Table 4.19 Classification of respondents on the basis of Job satisfaction
Board Highly
satisfied Medium
satisfaction Low level
satisfaction Total
No. % No. % No. % No %
MDB 7 46.67 8 53.33 0 0 15 100.00
GDB 11 73.33 4 26.67 0 0 15 100.00
CDB 13 86.67 2 13.33 0 0 15 100.00
TDB 13 86.67 2 13.33 0 0 15 100.00
Total 44 73.33 16 26.67 0 0 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Analysis shows that nobody has low level of satisfaction. 73.33% indicates
high level of satisfaction (Table 4.20). Highest percentage of respondents who
indicates high level of satisfaction belong to CDB and TDB and lowest to MDB.
Discussions with respondents reveal that majority of staff are staff of earst while HR
& CE and the Board is functioning from the budget allocation of Kerala Government
basically. They think that they have no consistency in DBs.
4.7.11 Pay
The staff of DBs earns return as scale, consolidated pay, daily wages, etc. An
analysis of the primary data reveals that 93.33 percentages of the respondents get
payment on the basis of scale.
201
Table 4.20 Classification of respondents on the basis of nature of pay of the
Devaswom Board staff
Board staff Scale Others Total
No. % No. % No. %
MDB 15 100.00 0 0.00 15 100.00
GDB 14 93.33 1 6.67 15 100.00
CDB 13 86.67 2 13.33 15 100.00
TDB 14 93.33 1 6.67 15 100.00
Total 56 93.33 4 6.67 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Analysis reveals that remuneration of all the employees of Malabar
Devaswom Board and 93.33% of employees of GDB and TDB receive their monthly
payment on the basis of scale. It indicates that most of the DB staff are permanent.
4.7.12 Role of DB Staff in Decision making
Decision making is normally the task of top level management. Devaswom
Boards are no exception to this. Only one tenth of the sample respondents belong to
this category. The analysis on their role in decision making is given in the table 4.21.
202
Table 4.21 Classification of respondents on the basis of decision making role
Board staff
Role in formulation of plan
No role in formulation of plan Total
No. % No. % No. %
MDB 2 13.33 13 86.67 15 100.00
GDB 1 6.67 14 93.33 15 100.00
CDB 1 6.67 14 93.33 15 100.00
TDB 3 20.00 12 80.00 15 100.00
Total 7 11.67 53 88.33 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
The result of analysis shows that 11.67% of respondents have a role in
decision making in DBs. This is mainly because only 10% of sample respondents
are from top level. Majority of the staff, ie., 88.33% do not have any role in the
decision making of the DBs.
4.7.13 Opinion of Devaswom Board Staff regarding Proper Accounting
Temples under the DB are many. This variable is included purposefully to
find the accounting inefficiencies of temples under the DBs. Accounting of
transactions of temples is a big matter to be considered urgently. Even income and
expenditure statement are not prepared separately for temples under CDB. Focus
group discussion, with the officials reveals that in future, accounts in detail will be
available by installing software. The old method of recording and maintaining
transactions is still in existence. The table 4.22 reveals the opinion of DB staff
regarding proper accounting in temples under DBs.
203
Table 4.22 Classification of respondents on the basis of opinion
regarding proper accounting
Board staff
Proper accounting of revenues of
temples under DBs
No proper accounting of revenues of
temples under DBs
No Opinion Totals
No % No % No % No %
MDB 6 40.00 2 13.33 7 46.67 15 100.00 GDB 4 26.67 1 6.67 10 66.67 15 100.00 CDB 6 40.00 0 0.00 9 60.00 15 100.00 TDB 7 46.67 2 13.33 6 40.00 15 100.00 Total 23 38.33 5 8.33 32 53.33 60 100.00 Source: Primary data
Majority of the staff (53.33%) agreed that they have no opinion about the
proper accounting in the temples under the DBs. 38.33% opines that there is proper
accounting. Only 8.33% staff agreed that there is no proper accounting in the
temples under the DBs. This reveals the fact that there are many temples under the
Devaswom Boards especially TDB, GDB and MDB which do not maintain account
properly.
4.8 Income and expenditure of Devaswom Boards
Annual financial statements of DBs consist of receipts and payments. There
is no uniformity in the statements of receipts and payments among DBs. DB’s works
extend from temples to schools, colleges, hospitals, hotels, restaurants, etc except
MDB. As such component wise analysis is not at all meaningful, an attempt has
been made to analyse the total income and expenditure of Devaswom Boards in
Kerala.
204
4.8.1 Income of Devaswom Boards
Income of DBs consists of vazhipadu, investment income, receipts from
land, hotels and restaurants, schools, colleges, receipts from other institutions,
anakotta, gogulam, publication, etc except MDB. MDB depends on the Budgeted
income / fund from the Government and division wise earnings from temples that is
annuities received.
ANOVA has been used to test whether there is any significant difference in
the income earned by DBs. Average income of DBs and their SDs are calculated by
using Statistical Software for comparing the incomes of four basic DBs in Kerala.
The averages and SDs are shown in Table 4.23.
Table 4.23 ANOVA Table showing the variation of Incomes (in crores) of Devaswom
Boards
Name of N Average SD F p-value
TDB 4 386.07 78.62
51.1882** < 0.001 CDB 4 82.51 96.18
MDB 4 31.43 11.26
GDB 4 166.44 35.48
Total 16 166.62 145.37 (Source: Annual accounts and Budgets of Devaswom Board); ** significant at 0.01 level
Average income of all DBs is 166.62 crores. Highest average income is to
the TDB 386.07 crores and the lowest is to MDB Rs 31.43 crores. Analysis of
variance shows the F value 51.1882 which is greater than the table value of “F” at
0.01 level of significance. So there exists significant difference in the average
earnings of DBs in Kerala.
The ANOVA result shows that there is considerable difference in the DBs
earnings. Therefore, the Research has to be accepted. There exists considerable
difference in the earnings of DBs under study.
205
4.8.2 Expenditure of Devaswom Boards
Expenditure of DBs consists of revenue expenditure, temple expenditure,
expenditure of schools, colleges, other institutions, etc except MDB.
ANOVA is used to analyse whether there is significant difference in
expenditure of DBs. Average expenditure of DBs and their SDs are calculated by
using Statistical Software for comparing the expenditure DBs in Kerala and are
shown in Table 4.24.
(Source: Annual accounts and Budgets of Devaswom Board); ** significant at 0.01 level
Average expenditure of all DBs is Rs154.94 crores. Highest average income
is to the TDB Rs 377.89 crores and the lowest is to MDB Rs 14.51 crores. Analysis
of variance shows the F value 53.0697 which is greater than the table value of “F” at
1 percent level of significance. So there exists significant difference in the average
expenditures of DBs in Kerala.
The ANOVA result shows that there is considerable difference in the DBs
expenditures. Therefore, the research has to be accepted. There exists considerable
difference in the expenditure of DBs under study.
Table 4.24 ANOVA Table showing the variation of Expenditures (in crores) of
Devaswom Boards
Name of DB Valid N Average SD F p-level
TDB 4 377.89 78.59
53.0697** < 0.001 CDB 4 81.17 10.51
MDB 4 14.51 9.45
GDB 4 146.17 34.00
Total 16 154.94 146.60
206
4.8.3 Surplus/Deficiency of DB
The difference between income and expenditure is analysed as surplus or
deficiency and its average is taken for applying the ANOVA test. Test results are
shown in the table below.
Table 4.25 ANOVA Table showing the variation of Surplus/Deficiency (in crores) of
Devaswom Boards
Name of DB Valid N Average Income SD F p-value
TDB 4 8.18 0.19
9.610** 0.002 CDB 4 1.34 3.46
MDB 4 16.93 10.28
GDB 4 20.27 2.16
Total 16 11.68 9.13 (Source: Annual accounts and Budgets of Devaswom Board); ** significant at 0.01 level
Average surplus is Rs 11.68 crores. Surplus is more for GDB and less to
CDB. Analysis of variance shows the F value 9.610 which is greater than the table
value of “F” at 1 percent level of significance. So there exists significant difference
in the average surplus of DBs in Kerala.
The ANOVA result shows that there is considerable difference in the DBs
surplus/deficiency. Therefore, the research has to be accepted. There exists
considerable difference in the surplus/ deficiency of DBs under study.
4.9 Consummation
The temples in Kerala are managed by DBs. Four DBs manage 3000 temples
in Kerala. Even though there is less similarity in the functioning of DBs in Kerala,
there exists huge disparity in the DB s functioning in Kerala as apex authority of
administering temples in Kerala. Majority of DB staff are males and have 1-5 years
experience. Income and expenditure account are not prepared separately for temples
under DBs. Significant difference is found in the income and expenditure of DBs in
Kerala.
207
References
1) Jayashanker, S. (1997). Temples of Kerala. NewDelhi: Controller of
Publications, Civil Lines.
2) Top 30 famous temples in India. (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.tourmyindia.com
3) Op cit., 1
4) Govt. of Kerala. (2012). Devaswom Boards in Kerala. Retrieved from The
official web portal, Govt.of Kerala: http://kerala.gov.in
5) Travancore Devaswom Board. (2015). Administration. Retrieved from
http://travancoredevaswomboard.org
6) Travancore Devaswom Board. (2013). Travancore Devaswom Board.
Travancore Devaswom Board Thiruvananthapuram AD2013 ME 1188-89,
Office Diary . Thirivananthapuram: Travancore Devaswom Board.
7) Cochin Devaswom Board. (2012). Cochin Devaswom Board Diary.
8) Cochin Devaswom Board. (2013). Cochin Devaswom Board Diary2013.
Thrissur.
9) Cochin Devaswom Board. (2012). List of Temples. Thrissur.
10) Op cit., 8.
11) List of Temples . (2014). Retrieved April 20, 2014, from Malabar Devaswom
Board.
12) Ibid.
13) Op cit., 11
14) Guruvayur Devaswom Board. (2013). Guruvayur Devaswom Board
Diary2013. Guruvayur.