Govindaraj K v. The Commissioner

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first and second respondents to grant permission to conduct the Kumbhabishekam Festival from 21.08.2026 to 23.08.2026 at Shri Bhagavathi Amman Temple situated at Porundalur Village, Thelungupatti, Karur District and consequently directing the third and fourth respondents to provide adequate police protection for conducting the said Kumbhabishekam Festival.

¶2The petitioners claim that they are the devotees of Shri Bhagavathi Amman Temple situated at Porundalur Village, Thelungupatti, Karur District and that the said temple has the family deity of about 1,500 families.

¶3It is the case of the petitioners that the Kumbhabishekam Festival of the said Temple has to be conducted between 21.08.2026 and

23.08.2026, as more than 15 years have elapsed since the last Kumbhabishekam. In this connection, the petitioners appear to have Page No. 3 of 7 submitted representations dated 04.06.2026 and 11.07.2026 to the official respondents herein.

¶4The learned counsel for the Government of Tamil Nadu, appearing for the first to third, fifth and sixth respondents, submits that the petitioners are also required to obtain the necessary permission/orders from the High Level Committee constituted pursuant to the order of the Division Bench of this Court.

¶5In view of the above submission, the prayer of the petitioners for conducting the Kumbhabishekam Festival on the dates mentioned above cannot be straightaway granted without a counter affidavit being filed by the respondents and without hearing the private respondents arrayed in this Writ Petition.

¶6That apart, there could be other conflicting interests of third parties as well as the State. Therefore, in order to balance the interests of the petitioners, who appear to be espousing the cause of the community at Karur by contending that the deity is that of their family deity, I direct the second respondent to consider the representations of the petitioners dated

04.06.2026 and 11.07.2026 and pass appropriate orders. Page No. 4 of 7

¶7In case the approval or permission of any other Department or Committee is required, the second respondent shall take appropriate steps in that regard and place the representations of the petitioners before the competent authority.

¶8Needless to state, not only the petitioners but also the other interested parties shall be afforded an opportunity of hearing before a final decision is taken on the aforesaid representations seeking permission to conduct the proposed Kumbhabishekam Festival on the dates mentioned above.

¶9The second respondent shall take appropriate steps on the said representations within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

¶10In case the permission is granted for conducting the Kumbhabishekam Festival, the fourth and seventh respondents shall ensure that adequate police protection and all necessary arrangements are provided for the peaceful conduct of the Kumbhabishekam Festival. Page No. 5 of 7

¶11With the above observations, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

21.07.2026 : Yes / No JEN To

1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowment Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Opp. to Taj Coramandel Hotel, Near the Income Tax Office, Nungambakkam, Chennai.

2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowment Department, 1st Cross Street, A.D.Saminathapuram, Nirmala Hospital, Karur.

3.The District Collector, Karur, Karur District.

4.The Superintendent of Police, Karur, Karur District.

5.The Tahsildar, Kulithalai, Karur District.

6.The Inspector, Hindu Religious Endowment Department, Kulithalai.

7.The Inspector of Police, Thogamalai, Karur District. Page No. 6 of 7

C.SARAVANAN, J. JEN

21.07.2026 (2/2) Page No. 7 of 7

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 21.07.2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE C.SARAVANAN 1.K.Govindaraj 2.M.J.Vadivel 3.Maruthai 4.R.Murugan 5.N.Vadivel 6.Arasakumar 7.Kandhasamy ... Petitioners Vs. 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowment Department, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Opp. to Taj Coramandel Hotel, Near the Income Tax Office, Nungambakkam, Chennai. 2.The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowment Department, 1st Cross Street, A.D.Saminathapuram, Nirmala Hospital, Karur. 3.The District Collector, Karur, Karur District. Page No. 1 of 7 4.The Superintendent of Police, Karur, Karur District. 5.The Tahsildar, Kulithalai, Karur District. 6.The Inspector, Hindu Religious Endowment Department, Kulithalai. 7.The Inspector of Police, Thogamalai, Karur District. 8.Kumaresan ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first and second respondents to grant permission to conduct the Kumbhabishekam Festival from 21.08.2026 to 23.08.2026 at Shri Bhagavathi Amman situated at Porundalur Village, Thelungupatti, Karur District and also directing the third and fourth respondents to provide adequate police protection to conduct the Kumbhabishekam Festival from 21.08.2026 to 23.08.2026 at Shri Bhagavathi Amman situated at Porundalur Village, Thelungupatti, Karur District. For Petitioners : M/s.A.Lakshmi For R1 to R3, R5 & R6 : M/s.P.Sudarkodi Natchiyar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu Page No. 2 of 7 For R4 & R7 : Mr.P.Vetrivel Government Advocate (Crl. Side)