Saravanan v. The District Collector

O R D E R The Writ Petition is filed complainant about the Kumbabishekam that is proposed to be conducted for Arulmigu Thumbikkai Azhwar Temple, Sridevi Bhudevi Sametha Sri Varadarajaperumal Thirukoil. Page Nos.2/8

¶2The grievances of the petitioner are two-fold. While some of the respondents have published a notice proposing to conduct the Kumbabishekam on 01-02-2026, Respondent No. 7, has printed another invitation proposing to conduct the Kumbabishekam on 28-05-2026.

¶3The second grievance is that all the works in respect of the temple is not over. The third grievance is that the rituals are not being properly followed. Therefore, it is case of the petitioner that a peace committee should be conducted and with consensus of everyone, the Kumbabishekam should be conducted at the postponed date.

¶4The learned Special Government Pleader would submit that the works are properly completed and that the Kumbabishekam is going to take place on 01-02-2026. As regards the second notice proposing the Kumbabishekam in May 2026 is concerned, the same is not authorized by them. Therefore, the Kumbabishekam can be proceed only on 01.02.2026.

¶5The learned counsel appearing on behalf of respondent No.5 would submit that earlier, when Respondent No.5 approached this Court by way of W.P.No.48751 of 2025, this Court passed an order that the Kumbabishekam be performed without giving importance to anybody and in a proper manner. The said order is not properly followed and therefore he has already sent a complaint. Page Nos.3/8

¶6The Learned Counsel appearing for the respondent No.7 would submit that the works of the temple are not at all complete and that is why they have published a notice to conduct the Kumbabishekam in the month of May, after due completion of all the works.

¶7I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case. Since factually contrary statements are made, this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution cannot decide the disputed facts.

¶8As far as the Kumbabishekam is concerned, now notices have been published and it is proposed to conduct the Kumbabishekam on 01-02-2026. Postponing or interfering with temple festivals, that too at the last moment will also hurt the sentiments of the devotees. Therefore, unless good grounds are specifically made out before the Court, the Court will not interfere.

¶9Since the official respondents are submitting that the entire essential works are already complete and that the temple is fit to carry the Kumbabishekam, this Court cannot grant any interim or final order restraining or postponing the Kumbabishekam.

¶10Since the complaint is made by the petitioner as well as by some of the respondents that the works are not complete, the Assistant Commissioner, Page Nos.4/8 HR & CE, Namakkal, is directed to forthwith thoroughly inspect the temple and ensure that all the essential works are carried out and that the temple is ready for the Kumbabishekam on 01-02-2026. The Kumbabishekam shall be conducted without violating any of the established practices or traditions of the temple. Due regard should also be had to the earlier order passed by this Court in W.P.No.48751 of 2025, whereby it was directed as follows. Paragraph 5 and 6 are extracted hereunder: "5. The invitation/notice printed in respect of the Kumbabishekam is also placed on record. With reference to the invitation, specifically, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that on 30.01.2026, when it is proposed that water will be brought from the river Cauvery and abishekam will be performed, the petitioner and his family members should also be permitted. Normally, in Kumba abishekam, when water is carried, the main Kalasam will be carried by the priests who are performing the ceremony. In some temple traditions, Sivachariyas alone will be permitted to bring the Kalasams, it will not be by the fourth respondent or any other person.

¶6If the general public or devotees are permitted to pour water from the Kalasams, then without any discrimination everyone, including the petitioner, will be permitted. If the Cauvery water is to be brought only by the priests, then neither the petitioner nor the fourth respondent will bring it. Therefore, as per the rituals that are followed, the Kumba Abishekam will be conducted. No discrimination shall be made against anybody. It should also be seen that when the temple caters to the needs of persons belonging to the lowest section of society, every human being is treated equally and no special respect is shown to any person whatsoever, so that equality among human beings is demonstrated in the present temple." Page Nos.5/8

¶11It is made clear that during the inspection by the Assistant Commissioner, the petitioner or any of the other respondents may point out to the Assistant Commissioner if any essential works have not yet been completed, and it is for the Assistant Commissioner to take a decision in that regard. If there remains an extreme situation on the ground — for example, that the deity or the sannidhi of the main temple, or the Gopuram in which the Kumbabishekam is to be performed, is itself incomplete, then the Assistant Commissioner may take a call and fix a fresh date.

¶12With the above directions and observations, the Writ Petition stands disposed of. The parties shall ensure that there shall be no law and order problem and any person who is creating any kind of law and order issue shall be dealt with strictly by the official respondents.

¶13The authorities shall act on the web copy of this order without waiting for the certified copy.

¶14There shall be no order as to costs. 23-01-2026 bsm Page Nos.6/8 To,

1.The District collector Office of the District collector, Namakkal Namakkal District

2.The Revenue Divisional officer Office of the Collectorate, Tiruchengode Road, Namakkal District

3.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam Chennai-600 034.

4.Tahsildar Office of Tahsildar, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District.

¶5The Assistant Commissioner, HR & CE, Namakkal. Page Nos.7/8

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J. bsm W.P.No.2432 of 2026 23-01-2026 Page Nos.8/8

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 23-01-2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Saravanan, Secretary Beeragavaru Clan Relatives Trust, S/o.Ramasamy D.No.6/65,Kokkalai, Ilyampalayam Kokkalai post, Tiruchengode Taluk Namakkal District, Tamilnadu-637216. ... Petitioner Vs. 1. The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Namakkal Namakkal District 2.The Revenue Divisional officer Office of the Collectorate, Tiruchengode Road, Namakkal District 3.The Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, 119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam Chennai-600 034. 4.Tahsildar Office of Tahsildar, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District 5.Arumugam S/o.Kaliyappan D.No.190,K.B.Karadu, Kamarajar Nagar, Nethimedu, Salem District-636 002 Page Nos.1/8 6.Thangaraj S/o.Kuppan, Arunthathiyar street, Bommapatti, Tiruchengode, Namakkal District. 7.Vijayaraghavan Muthusamy, D.No.4/62, Arunthathiyar street, Avalnaickenpatti District, Namakkal District-637 019. … Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to conduct the consecration ceremony by fixing the common date by considering petitioners representation dated 08.01.2026. For Petitioner: Mr.Deepanuday For Respondents: Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, Spl.G.P, for R3 Mr.P.Saravana Sowniyan, for R6 Mr.T.Johan Samuel, for R7 Mr.A.M.Ayyadurai, Government Advocate, for R1, R2 & R4