Endowment Lands 

🔹 What are Endowment Lands?

• Lands dedicated to temples, mathas, religious/charitable institutions under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act.
  
  

• They are meant for the maintenance, rituals, and welfare activities of temples and related institutions.
  
  

• Managed under the Telangana Endowments Department (Commissionerate of Endowments, Govt. of Telangana).
  
  

🔹 Types of Endowment Lands

1. Temple Lands
   
   

   • Agricultural and non-agricultural land given to temples for income.
     
     

2. Matha / Peetham Lands
   
   

   • Dedicated to religious heads or mathas.
     
     

3. Charitable Endowments
   
   

   • Schools, choultries, annadanam lands, goshalas.
     
     

4. Lease/Assigned Lands
   
   

   • Leased to individuals/organizations, with proceeds meant for temples.
     
     

🔹 Extent in Telangana

• Telangana has about 86,000 acres of endowment lands (as per official records).
  
  

• Out of this, a large portion is encroached or under illegal occupation.
  
  

• Endowments Department is actively reclaiming lands for temple development and revenue generation.
  
  

🔹 Major Endowment Lands in Hyderabad & Telangana

1. Hyderabad & Ranga Reddy Districts
   
   

   • Temples at Secunderabad, Bowenpally, Shaikpet, Miyapur, Uppal.
     
     

   • Lands attached to famous temples like Balkampet Yellamma, Chilkur Balaji, and smaller local temples.
     
     

2. Warangal District
   
   

   • Bhadrakali Temple, 1000 Pillar Temple, and surrounding lands.
     
     

3. Khammam, Karimnagar, Nizamabad
   
   

   • Local mathas and temple endowment properties.
     
     

4. Medak & Sangareddy
   
   

   • Lands attached to Joginapally Mallanna and other local shrines.
     
     

5. Mahbubnagar & Nalgonda
   
   

   • Temple lands and agriculture endowments, many leased for cultivation.
     
     

🔹 Current Issues

• Encroachments – Thousands of acres under illegal possession.
  
  

• Underutilization – Many lands not generating revenue for temples.
  
  

• Litigation – Disputes between private parties and Endowment Dept.
  
  

• Political/Administrative neglect in safeguarding temple assets.
  
  

🔹 Importance

• Revenue from these lands is intended for:
  
  

  • Temple maintenance & development
    
    

  • Priests’ honorarium
    
    

  • Annadanam schemes (free meals)
    
    

  • Religious festivals & welfare
    
    

🔹 Where to Check Endowment Land Records

1. Telangana Endowments Department Website – http://endowments.telangana.gov.in
   
   

2. District Collectorate / MRO office – maintains local registers.
   
   

3. Dharani Land Records Portal – sometimes reflects “Endowment” in remarks.
   
   

4. RTI / Temple office – for specific temple land details.
   
   

✅ In short: Endowment lands in Telangana = Temple & religious institution lands, ~86,000 acres, many encroached, legally protected, managed by Endowments Dept