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IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
ANIL K. NARENDRAN, P.G. AJITHKUMAR, JJ.
Suo Motu - Petitioner
Versus
State of Kerala, Rep. By Its Secretary to Government, Revenue (Devaswom) Department & Ors. - Respondents
SSCR No. 20 of 2022
Decided On : 10-11-2022
Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 - Section 15A, 31A - Section 10 of Guruvayur Devaswom Act, 1978 - Formation of Temple Advisory Committees - Special Commissioner is regarding the steps to be taken to provide adequate facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims - Provisions under Section 73A of said Act, it shall be duty of Cochin Devaswom Board to see that regular traditional rites according to practice prevalent in religious institution are performed promptly; and to establish and maintain proper facilities in major temples for devotees. (Para 7).
Findings of the Court: Court deem it appropriate to direct the 2nd respondent Travancore Devaswom Board and the additional 7th respondent Cochin Devaswom Board to ensure that proper facilities are provided to Sabarimala pilgrims in the temples under its management, which are identified as Sabarimala Edathavalams and also other temples which are identified by the concerned Devaswom Board to provide facilities to Sabarimala Pilgrims during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season - Temple Advisory Committees of those temples, which are identified as Sabarimala Edathavalams, and also other temples which are identified by the concerned Devaswom Board to provide facilities to Sabarimala Pilgrims during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season, shall render necessary assistance to the concerned Sub Group Officer/Devaswom Officer in providing proper facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims in the respective temples. The 9th respondent Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee shall also ensure that proper facilities are provided to Sabarimala pilgrims in Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.
Result: Ordered accordingly.
ORDER :
Anil K. Narendran, J.
This report of the Special Commissioner, Sabarimala, is regarding the steps to be taken to provide adequate facilities to Sabarimala pilgrims at the Edathavalams for the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season of the year 1198 ME (2022-23).
2. Heard the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board, the learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board, the learned Standing Counsel for Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee and also the learned Deputy Solicitor General of India for the Ministry of Railways.
3. The list of 52 Sabarimala Edathavalams in the temples managed by Travancore Devaswom Board is as under;
| I | Kottarakkara Group | |
|
| 1. | P.D. Manikanteswaram Devaswom |
| 2. | Vettikavala Devaswom | |
| 3. | Pattazhi Devaswom (New one) | |
| II | Punalur Group | |
|
| 1. | Puthiyidom Devaswom |
| 2. | Thrikkodesom Devaswom | |
| 3. | Aaryankavu Devaswom | |
| 4. | Achankovil Devaswom | |
| 5. | Kulathupuzha Devaswom | |
| 6. | Thrikkodeswara Devaswom | |
| 7. | Kannangara Devaswom | |
| III | Karunagappally Group | |
|
| 1. | Sasthamkotta Devaswom |
| 2. | Padayanarkulangara Devaswom | |
| IV | Ambalappuzha Group | |
|
| 1. | Ambalappuzha Devaswom |
| 2. | Thakazhy Devaswom | |
| 3. | Mullackal Devaswom | |
| 4. | Chali Narayanapuram Devaswom | |
| V | Harippad Group | |
|
| 1. | Harippad Devaswom |
| 2. | Pathirakulangara | |
| VI | Aranmula Group | |
|
| 1. | Chengannoor Devaswom |
| 2. | Omallur Devaswom | |
| 3. | Panthalam Valiyakoyikkal Devaswom | |
| 4. | Ranni-Perunadu Devaswom | |
| 5. | Vadasserikkara Devaswom | |
| 6. | Ayirur Puthiyakavu Devaswom | |
| 7. | Vettoor Aayiravally Devaswom | |
| 8. | Prayar Devaswom | |
| 9. | Muringamangalam Devaswom | |
| 10. | Odamon Devaswom | |
| VII | Kottayam Group | |
|
| 1. | Thirunakkara Devaswom |
| 2. | Thaliyil Devaswom | |
| VIII | Ettumanoor Group | |
|
| 1. | Ettumanoor Devaswom |
| 2. | Kaduthuruthy Devaswom | |
| 3. | Vellappattu Devaswom | |
| 4. | Keezhthadiyoor Devaswom | |
| IX | Vaikkom Group | |
|
| 1. | Vaikkom Devaswom |
| 2. | Udayamperoor Devaswom | |
| 3. | Thuravoor Devaswom | |
| X | Thrikkaariyoor Group | |
|
| 1. | Keezhillam Devaswom |
| 2. | Arakkulam Devaswom | |
| XI | Paravoor Group | |
|
| 1. | Aluva Mahadeva Kshethram |
| 2. | Kothakulangara Devaswom | |
| 3. | Kannankulangara Devaswom | |
| 4. | Aluva Sreekrishna Swami Kshethram | |
| XII | Mundakkayam Group | |
|
| 1. | Erumeli Chirakkadavu Devaswom |
| 2. | Chirakkadavu Devaswom | |
| 3. | Peerumedu Devaswom | |
| 4. | Vandipperiyar Sathram | |
| 5. | Chenappadi Devaswom | |
| 6. | Kodungoor Devaswom | |
| XIII | Ullur Group | |
|
| 1. | O.T.C. Hanuman Swami Kshethram |
| XIV | Neyyattinkara Group | |
|
| 1. | Kottaram Devaswom |
| 2. | Parassala Devaswom | |
The learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board would submit that the Board will provide Annadanam in all Edathavalams during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival season of 1198 ME (2022-23).
4. The list of 2 Sabarimala Edathavalams in the temples managed by Cochin Devaswom Board is as under;
| 1. | Mudikkode Temple |
| 2. | Chirangara Temple |
The learned Standing Counsel for Cochin Devaswom Board would submit that, in addition to the above 2 Sabarimala Edathavalams, facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims are provided in the following 5 temples;
| 1. | Chottanikkara |
| 2. | Kodungalloor |
| 3. | Sree Vadakkunnathan |
| 4. | Kurumalikkavu |
| 5. | Thiruvanchikulam |
5. The learned Standing Counsel for Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee would submit that, as stated in the affidavit filed on behalf of the 9th respondent, the following arrangements are made in Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple during Mandala-Makaravilakku festival of 1198 ME (2022-23);
| 1. | To open the Temple at 3.30 pm which will enable more devotees to have darsan. |
| 2. | A separate Darsan Queue for Sabarimala Pilgrims |
| 3. | Vazhipadu and Nivedyam Counter will function for more hours to cater t |
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