Authority: Madras High Court, Madurai Bench

Order Date: 02 March 2023

Case Overview

  • Petition filed under Article 226 by Pulavar.Durai.Thiruvenkadam, claiming to be President of Ahila Bharatha Aanmeega Peravai, seeking a writ of mandamus directing the Executive Officer of Arulmigu Adhikumbeswarar Thirukoil Kumbakonam to withdraw the schedule in the Maasi Maham Festival Invitation‑2023 (dated 03.03.2023, 01:30 pm‑04:00 pm) that proposed taking the deities of Arulmigu Adhi Kumbeswara Swamy and Arulmigu Mangalambigai to the house of the second respondent.
  • The petitioner’s representation dated 27 January 2023 objected to the deities being taken to the private residence, citing sentiment of devotees during the Mahamagam Kumba Mela, a festival held once in twelve years attracting around ten lakh devotees for a holy dip in the Mahamagam Tank.
  • The first respondent had issued a fourteen‑day festival schedule from 24 February 2023 to 09 March 2023, including the Kuthirai Vahana Urchavam, after which the deities would be taken to a Mandapam at 8th Padithurai on the Cauvery River for Abishegam and Aaradhana, and then conveyed in the holy car (Andiappa Mudaliar Parambari).
  • The Mandapam at 8th Padithurai was reported as dilapidated; a temporary shed had been erected in front of a Sastha Bajanai Madam run by Saint Duraiswamy (father of the second respondent). After the saint’s demise, the Madam was demolished and a residential house was constructed by the second respondent, leading to the proposed use of the private house for the deities.
  • Learned Standing Counsel for the first respondent, Mr. V. Chandrasekar, submitted that due to the demolition of the Mandapam, the deities could not be taken there, but assured that suitable arrangements have now been made to use a Mandapam on the banks of the Cauvery River, and that the deities will not be taken to any private property in future.
  • The record indicates NCC: Yes/No, Index: Yes/No, Internet: Yes/No.

Final Outcome

  • The court, with consent of both parties, disposed of the writ petition at the admission stage, dispensing notice to the second respondent.
  • The petition was dismissed; no costs were awarded; the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.
  • The order copy was to be issued in March 2023.

Topics: Court Order; Religious Festival