Choultry

Choultry, 'choultry' is indeed an ancient institution and is principally meant for lodging of pilgrims and travellers. It is conceivable that in 1884, when the first municipal legislation was passed in Madras, such institutions were some humble sheds and other structures to enable the pilgrims to stay for a short while when they came to visit temples and other religious places. This institution, like similar others elsewhere, has come to stay as a symbol of religious and charitable disposition of human mind translated into physical manifestation in the shape of safe shelter for the pilgrims, Municipal Council Tirupathi v. Tirupathi Tirumalai Devasthanam, AIR 1974 SC 521 (523): (1974) 1 SCC 683. [T.N. District Municipalities Act, (5 of 1920), s. 83(1) (b)]