The Maharashtra government has announced a major policy move regarding temple-owned Devasthan Inam lands, a decision that could open up thousands of acres across the state for redevelopment and commercial use.
The state has released a draft legislation titled the “Maharashtra Devasthan Inams Abolition Act 2026” and invited suggestions and objections from citizens until June 5. If enacted, the law is expected to resolve decades-old legal disputes and redevelopment hurdles linked to temple inam lands across Maharashtra.
According to government estimates, nearly one lakh hectares of land in the state are registered as Devasthan Inam properties. These lands were historically donated by kings, nobles, and philanthropists to temples for religious and social activities.
Over time, however, many of these lands came under private occupation, while the occupants did not receive full ownership rights. As a result, landholders were unable to undertake redevelopment or commercial use of the properties, while temple trusts also failed to generate adequate revenue from them. Illegal encroachments and restrictions associated with Class-II land status further complicated the issue in several areas.
To address the problem, the government is considering converting Class-II lands into Class-I lands. Under the proposed system, current occupants would have to pay a premium to the respective temple trusts to regularise ownership rights.
Officials said the revenue generated through this process would be used for religious, administrative, social, and welfare activities undertaken by temple trusts. However, land ownership limits under Maharashtra land ceiling laws will continue to apply, and any excess land beyond the prescribed limit would revert to the temple trusts.
According to officials, the Western Maharashtra Devasthan Committee alone controls nearly 50,000 acres of land and manages around 3,000 temples, including prominent shrines such as Mahalaxmi Temple and Jotiba Temple.
The Maharashtra government said the proposed legislation is aimed at regularising land ownership, accelerating redevelopment projects, and generating substantial revenue for temple trusts across the state.
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