Sacred Power: The Political Role of Temples in India
Abstract
Temples in India have historically served not only as religious centres but also as significant institutions of political and social influence. This paper explores the multifaceted political role of temples in India, analysing how religious spaces intersect with governance, identity formation, and power dynamics in both historical and contemporary contexts. By examining a range of case studies from different regions, such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala, this study reveals how temples function as instruments of political mobilization, community control, and symbolic assertion of authority. The paper starts tracing the historical evolution of temple-state relations, from royal patronage in pre-colonial India to state control under colonial and post-independence regimes. It then investigates how modern political parties utilize temples to mobilize votes, shape public discourse, and construct cultural legitimacy—particularly through religious nationalism. The role of temple trusts, government regulations, and temple wealth are also examined to understand the administrative and economic dimensions of religious influence on state functioning. Special attention is given to contentious political movements such as the Ram Janmabhoomi campaign and the Sabarimala temple debate, which highlight how temples become battlegrounds for ideological, legal, and gender based conflicts. These examples underscore the instrumentalization of sacred spaces to further majoritarian politics, identity claims, and policy shifts. By unpacking the strategic interplay between religious institutions and political actors, this paper contributes to broader discussions on secularism, democracy, and the role of religion in public life. Ultimately, it highlights the enduring and evolving role of temples as a form of “sacred power” within the Indian political landscape.
Keywords: Temple politics, religious nationalism, political mobilization, secularism in India, sacred space and power
References
- Bhargava, R. (2010). The promise of India’s secular democracy. Oxford University Press.
- Chandra, B. (2008). Communalism in modern India (3rd rev. ed.). Har-Anand Publications. https://ia801409.us.archive.org/30/items/in.ernet.dli.2015.148582/2015.148582.Communalism-In-Modern-India.pdf
- Engineer, A. A. (2020). The Babri Masjid–Ram Janmabhoomi dispute. Orient Blackswan. https://csss-isla.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/BAbri-Masjid-RAmjanambhiimi-Controversy.pdf
- Georgetown Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs. (2025). The dependence of secularism on nationalism in Indian democracy. Berkley Center, Georgetown University. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/responses/the-dependence-of-secularism-on-nationalism-in-indian-democracy
- Jaffrelot, C. (Ed.). (2007). Hindu nationalism: A reader. Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9781400828036
- Outlook India. (2023). The colonial roots of Hindutva “nationalism”. https://www.outlookindia.com/national/the-colonial-roots-of-hindutva-nationalism-news-297420
- Rajagopal, P. K. (2024). Temple administration in Kerala: Politics and the role of Hindu MLAs. Research Guru: Online Journal of Multidisciplinary Subjects, 13(4), 156–160. https://scholar9.com/publication-detail/temple-administration-in-kerala-politics-and-the-18579
- Rodrigues, S. (2022, March 30). The dependence of secularism on nationalism in Indian democracy. Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs, Georgetown University. https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/responses/the-dependence-of-secularism-on-nationalism-in-indian-democracy
- Roopesh, O. B. (2020). Temple as a site of modern contestations: Kshetra punarudharanam in postcolonial Kerala. South Asian History and Culture, 11(3), 300–316. https://doi.org/10.1080/19472498.2020.1797362
- Supreme Court of India. (2018). Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala. https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2016/14968/14968_2016_Judgement_07-Nov-2018.pdf
- Supreme Court of India. (2019). M. Siddiq (D) thr Lrs v. Mahant Suresh Das & Ors. https://main.sci.gov.in/supremecourt/2019/1494/1494_2019_Judgement_09-Nov-2019.pdf
- Truschke, A. (2023, October 6). How India’s Hindu nationalists are weaponizing history against Muslims. TIME. https://time.com/6320003/india-weaponizing-history-against-muslims/
- Wikipedia. (2025a). Composite nationalism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_nationalism_in_India
- Wikipedia. (2025b). Principled distance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principled_distance
- Wikipedia. (2025c). Integral humanism (India). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integral_humanism_(India)