The Cochin Devaswom Board is a statutory body entrusted with the administration and management of temples that were historically under the former princely State of Cochin. Established after the integration of princely states into the Indian Union, the Board functions under the provisions of the Cochin Devaswom Act and operates within the constitutional framework that allows the state to regulate the secular administration of religious institutions while safeguarding their spiritual autonomy.
At present, the Cochin Devaswom Board supervises 409 temples spread across the districts of Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Malappuram in Kerala. These temples vary widely in size, prominence, and historical importance, ranging from major pilgrimage centers to small village shrines. Despite this diversity, the Board ensures a uniform administrative structure to maintain order, transparency, and continuity in temple governance.
The Board’s responsibilities cover day-to-day temple administration, including the appointment and service conditions of temple employees such as priests, administrators, and support staff. It oversees the conduct of daily rituals, special poojas, festivals, and annual temple celebrations, ensuring that traditional customs and tantric practices specific to each temple are strictly followed. At the same time, the Board manages temple finances, including income from offerings, donations, and temple assets, and ensures that funds are properly audited and utilized for religious purposes, temple maintenance, and welfare activities.
Another important function of the Cochin Devaswom Board is the *maintenance and preservation of temple properties*, which include land, buildings, ornaments, and other valuables. The Board undertakes renovation and conservation works, often in coordination with government agencies, to protect temples of historical and architectural significance. It also plays a role in implementing social welfare measures, such as providing educational assistance, pensions, and healthcare benefits to temple employees and their dependents.
Overall, the Cochin Devaswom Board serves as a vital institutional link between tradition and modern administration. By managing a large network of temples across multiple districts, it ensures that religious practices continue uninterrupted while promoting accountability, legal compliance, and the sustainable management of temple resources in contemporary Kerala.