Petitioner sought a writ mandamus directing the temple authorities and State to conduct the Pandya month Brahmotsavam at the Shri Sowriraja Perumal Temple due to pandemic lockdown. The court disposed of the petition after the third respondent agreed to conduct the event later.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 25.10.2021
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.MAHADEVAN AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU
W.P.NO.19704 OF 2021
Venkatesh Sowrirajan
... Petitioner
Versus
Petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a Writ of Mandamus directing the fifth respondent Board of Trustees of the Shri Sowriraja Perumal Temple,
Thirukkannapuram to conduct the Brahmotsavam after performing the necessary Prayaschitha as specified in the Agama Shastras for failure to conduct the Brahmotsavam in Vaikasi 2021 before the end of Tamil calendar year and further direct the respondents 2 to 4 to facilitate the same as directed by the Board of Trustees .
For Petitioner : Mr.N.V.Balaji
For Respondents : Mr.R.Shanmugasundaram,
Advocate General Assisted by Mr.Arun Natarajan Government Counsel For R1, R2 & R4
Mr.V. Bharanidharan For R3 and R5
O R D E R
[Order of the Court was made by R. Mahadevan,J.]
According to the petitioner, he and his family have been rendering the service of reciting 'Nalayira Dhivya Prabandham' in the Sri Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Nagapattinam. He is deeply interested in the preservation of the sanctity of Sanathana Dharma Religion and religious institutions. It is his case that due to nationwide lockdown imposed to curb the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Brahmothsavas, as prescribed under Agama Sastras, could not be conducted during Tamil year corresponding to 2020. The request made by the devotees for conducting Brahmothsavam to the third respondent was rejected on the ground that he did not receive any approval from the fourth respondent. It is further averred that the Brahmothsavam of various temples have been conducted across the State by complying the agama sastras as well as the guidelines/restrictions issued by the Government on account of Covid-19 and hence the devotees are requesting the third respondent to conduct Brahmosthavam at least before the end of the current Tamil calendar year in the same manner, following the agamas and the restrictions placed by the Government. Finding no response, the petitioner has filed this Public Interest Litigation before this Court.
Assistant Registrar(CO)
//True Copy//
Sub Assistant Registrar
msr/rsh
To
W.P.NO.19704 OF 2021
SPD(CO) PBS/06/12/2021
1 provisions across 1 enactments
Venkatesh Sowrirajan
The State of Tamil Nadu
The Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department
The Executive Officer, Shri Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Thirukkannapuram
The Joint Commissioner, HR&CE, Nagapattinam
The Board of Trustees/Fit Person, Shri Sowriraja Perumal Temple, Thirukkannapuram
R. Mahadevan
P.D. Audikesavalu
As recorded by the court registry
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