Supreme Court Upholds Udayasthamana Pooja 21‑Nov‑2026

Authority: Supreme Court of India

Order Date: 08-10-2026

Case Overview

• Parties: Appellant – P.C. Hary & Ors.; Respondent – Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee & Ors.
• Interlocutory Applications: IA No.229197/2026 (present) and IA No.269508/2025 (earlier).
• Nature of proceedings: Interim relief sought to continue the traditional Udayasthamana Pooja performed on Vrishchikam Ekadasi at Guruvayur Temple.
• Background: IA No.269508/2025 was disposed on 30‑Oct‑2025, where the Court upheld the ritual’s long‑standing religious significance and ordered its continuation without alteration, rejecting public inconvenience arguments.
• Observations: The Court reiterated that rituals with deep religious roots should not be disrupted on managerial or administrative grounds and emphasized respect for devotees’ faith.

Final Outcome

• By way of interim measure, the Court directs that the Udayasthamana Pooja shall be performed on Vrishchikam Ekadasi falling on 21‑Nov‑2026 exactly as per temple tradition, without any change.
• The Court grants liberty to the Devaswom Board and the Thantri to also perform the pooja on 22‑Oct‑2026 as indicated in the revised Panchangam.
• The Interlocutory Application No.229197/2026 is disposed of.
• The appeal is ordered to be expedited and listed for hearing on 03‑Dec‑2026.

Topics: Religious Ritual, Interim Relief