Sixteen services · one department

E-Services

Apply to the Department, follow an application already made, or ask which service you need. Where a service starts with a form, the form is on its card.

Every service the Department provides, grouped by who it is for. Where a service can be started with a form, the form is linked on the card; where it needs a conversation first, the card says so.

Eligibility, documents required, fees and processing times are being confirmed with the Department and will be published on each service. Until then, ask us and an officer will tell you what a particular application needs.

For Temples

4 services

Registration of Hindu Religious Institutions

Financial Assistance

Grants from the Department’s own allocations — temple renovation, Aranery furniture and teacher allowances, homes and institutions — and separately from the Hindu Cultural Fund.
Apply: What is available, and how to apply

Festivals and Functions

Departmental involvement in temple festivals and functions.
Apply: See the calendar

Registration of Mandram

For Schools

3 services

Examinations

Examinations conducted through the Aranery school network. Apply: Enquire

Classes

Classes in Hindu religion, Saiva Siddhanta and Tamil. Apply: Enquire about enrolment

Training

Training for Aranery teaching staff and external resource persons. Apply: Resource-person form

For Priests & Gurus

3 services

Identity Cards

Identity cards for priests, monks and Aranery school teachers. Apply: Priest · Monks · Teacher

Recommendations for Visa

Departmental recommendation supporting a visa application or extension. Apply: Resident visa · Customs waiver

Workshops

Workshops for those administering Hindu religious institutions. Apply: Enquire

After you apply

Every application gets a reference number

Quote it in any correspondence and an officer can tell you where the application has reached. Keep it somewhere safe — it is how the Department finds your file.

For Artists

4 services

Kalabushana Award

The Department’s award for distinguished contribution to Hindu arts and culture.
Apply: Download the form

Registration of Kalaiyar

Registration for artists working in Hindu religious and cultural forms.
Apply: Download the form

Exhibitions

Exhibitions presenting Hindu religious and cultural work.
Apply: Enquire

Publication of Books

Support for publishing scholarly and devotional work.
Apply: Digital Library

For the Public

2 services

Awareness Programmes

Public education and awareness sessions run by the Department. Apply: Enquire

Iyappan Pilgrimage (Sabarimala) Visa

Free gratis visa for the Sabarimala pilgrimage, and registration of the kurusuwamy leading a group. Apply: Pilgrim · Kurusuwamy

How applying works

Find the service above and read what it needs. Download its form, or send an enquiry if there is no form.

Complete the form and gather the supporting documents it asks for.

Submit it to the Department at No. 180, T. B. Jayah Mawatha, Colombo 10, or to your regional office.

Keep the reference number you are given. Quote it in any correspondence about the application.

Can’t find what you need?

If none of the sixteen matches, or you are not sure which applies, write to the Department and an officer will point you to the right one.