K.Arumugam Pillai v. The Idol of Sri Renganathaswamy Srirengam,

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by G.R.Swaminathan J.) The Idol of Sri Renganathaswamy, Srirengam, filed OS No.125 of 2007 for recovery of the suit schedule property. The Court below vide judgment and decree dated 21.02.2026 decreed the suit as prayed for. Aggrieved by the same, this appeal has been filed.

2.The Idol of Sri Renganathaswamy is brought to the suit schedule property to perform the 6th day of Viruppan Thirunal Asththana Mandagapadi. It falls on 11.05.2026. This Civil Miscellaneous Petition has been filed to direct the temple management to permit the appellant herein to perform the said Mandagapadi.

3.The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the temple rightly points out that the prayer in this CMP is beyond the scope of the appeal. He is right. Even if we allow this appeal as prayed for, it has to be confined only to the relief of possession alone. We cannot pass any order or direction regarding the rights relating to Mandagapadi. Technically speaking, this CMP is not maintainable.

4.Be that as it may, during the pendency of the suit, the appellant herein had got a similar relief. It was put to challenge by the temple in C.M.A(MD)No.1097 of 2011. This Court had confirmed the interim order passed by the trial Court. Merely because the trial Court had entertained the IA and it was also confirmed by this Court, that will not make this CMP, which is inherently not maintainable, as maintainable.

5.The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner points out that when he filed W.P(MD)No.11914 of 2026, it was disposed of by the learned Judge of this Court on 22.04.2026, granting him liberty to move this Bench for relief. On account of this fact alone, we propose to grant some relief to the petitioner herein. However, we make it clear that the order to be passed by us shall apply and govern only this year's Mandagapadi alone. As regards performing the Mandagapadi for the future years, the petitioner will have to work out his remedy elsewhere.

6.The learned Senior Counsel for the temple states that the customary practice followed during the last 100 years will be followed this year also. In other words, the idol will be brought to the suit property on 11.05.2026. The petitioner is permitted to pay the Mandagapadi charges to the temple. The temple shall receive the same, but will not issue any receipt. We further make it clear that merely because the petitioner has been permitted to pay the Mandagapadi fees, no right shall accrue to him on that basis.

7.This Civil Miscellaneous Petition is disposed of accordingly.

[G.R.S., J.] [R.P, J.]

29.04.2026 MGA Note: Issue order copy on 29.04.2026. To The Executive Officer / Joint Commissioner, Having Office at the Devasthanam Office, Srirengam, Tiruchirappalli - 6. ooooooooooooooooC.M.P(MD)No.5949oofo2026 ooooooooooG.R.SWAMINATHAN,oJ. ANDo oR.POORNIMAoo,oJo. MGA C.M.P(MD)No.5949oofo2026 in A.S(MD)No.207oofo2026

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BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 29.04.2026 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.R.SWAMINATHAN AND THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R. POORNIMA in A.S(MD)No.207 of 2026 K.Arumugam Pillai ... Petitioner / Appellant Vs. 1.The Idol of Sri Renganathaswamy, Srirengam, Represented by its Executive Officer / Joint Commissioner, Having Office at the Devasthanam Office, Srirengam, Tiruchirappalli - 6. 2.T.Renganathan 3.Manju Barkavi 4.Marimuthu 5.K.Ramalingam 6.K.Sadiq Basha 7.G.Dharman 8.V.Nagarajan 9.T.Christopher Emmanuel 10.L.Dinesh Kumar 11.R.Jesurajan ... Respondents / Respondents Prayer: Civil Miscellaneous Petition filed under Section 151 of CPC to pass an Interim order more in the nature of Interim Direction, directing the 1st Respondent herein/plaintiff to permit the Petitioner/Appellant to perform 6th Day Viruppan Thirunal Asththana Mandagapadi scheduled on 11.05.2026 and subsequent years as well as Vazhinadai Upayam on the 8th day during the Panguni Festival and future dates, pending disposal of the main Appeal and thus render justice. For Petitioner : Mr.V.Meenakshi Sundaram For Respondents : Mr.Sriram Senior Counsel for Mr.R.Bharanidharan for R.1