1. Petitioner in O.P.No.32886 of 2002 is a member of Elayakorambu Mana of Payyallur village, Kollengode taluk in Palakkad district. Sree Kuruvambalam Siva temple is an ancient temple situated at Kuruvambalam, Perinthalmanna taluk in Malappuram district. The temple was owned by four Namboodiri families and they are trustees of the temple from time immemorial. The temple is a public religious institution coming under the purview of Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951. Day to day administration of the temple is vested in a Board of Trustees consist of both hereditary and non hereditary trustees.

2. Petitioner is a member of Elayakorambu Mana. Members of Moothakorambu Mana, Pulikkezhu Illom and Attayoor Mana are the other three non hereditary trustees of the temple. Petitioner has approached this court seeking a direction to the respondents to allow him to continue as member of the Board of Trustees of the temple. Consequent on the death of Karunakaran Nambiar, who was holding the post of Chairman of the Board of Trustees, election to the post of Chairman has become necessary. Petitioner and other two hereditary trustees then made enquiries and they ca