THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN, J.

1. This writ petition is filed challenging Ext.P3, a circular issued by the Travancore Devaswom Board to put up notice boards in temples as follows:

“Malayalam”

2. The objection taken is that the said circular gives the impression that Santhikars are insisting on payment of dakshina. It also, allegedly, contains an innuendo to the effect that dakshina which the devotee intends to offer to the priest ought to be put in the Hundies since the circular provides for a statement in the board to be put up that all amounts which a devotee wants to offer shall be deposited in the Hundies (Malayalam).

3. Ext.P2 judgment and the order in DBA No.104 of 2007 relied on therein, categorically hold that Santhikars are eligible to receive dakshina. When it is said that the devotees coming to a temple need not pay anything specially and that the amounts sought to be offered can be put in the hundi, it only means that the offerings in the form of cash to the deity of the temple have to be put in the hundi and not put elsewhere. It cannot also be entrusted to any other person. The statement that no payment of special nature is required for any offering or ser