JUDGMENT

Shivaraj V. Patil, J.-This appeal by the defendants in the suit O.S. No. 93 of 1976 is directed against and aggrieved by judgment and decree dated 29.4.1992 passed by the High Court of Madras in S.A. No. 1858/84.

2. In brief, the facts and circumstances leading to filing of this appeal are the following:

According to the appellants, Arulighu Mariamman temple at Rajapalayam has been administered and managed from time immemorial by the religious denomination of community of Rajus of Singarajakottai (for short Rajus ). Originally members of the said religious denomination were worshiping in the temple and as time passed on, persons belonging to other communities also started worshiping in the temple. The administration of the temple has always been by the trustees elected among Rajus and at no time, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department (H.R. & C.E. Deptt.) interfered with their management. Rajus permitted pandarams to perform puja in the temple as poojaries.

3. Seven pandarams joined together, filed an application O.A. No. 76/73 before the Deputy Commissioner, H.R. & C.E. Deptt. under Section 63(b) of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Act,