ORDER :

Anil K. Narendran, J.

This DBP is registered suo motu, vide proceedings dated 06.01.2024, based on a complaint dated 03.01.2024 regarding ‘Kodikoora Samarpanam’ during the annual festival for the year 1199 ME (2024) of Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, which is a major temple under the management of the 2nd respondent - Travancore Devaswom Board. In the complaint, the complainant has pointed out various irregularities in the conduct of ‘Kodikoora Samarpanam’. A copy of the judgment of this Court dated 06.02.2015 in W.P.(C) No.3258 of 2015, a copy of the relevant extract of the register maintained by the 4th respondent - Administrative Officer regarding ‘Kodikkayar’ and ‘Kodikoora’ Samarpanam during the annual festival are also enclosed along with the complaint.

2. On 10.01.2024, when this DBP came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom submitted that the annual festival in Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple will commence on 11.02.2024. The learned Standing Counsel sought time to get instructions on the complaint made by the complainant. The learned Government Pleader entered appearance for the 1st respondent and the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board for respondents 2 to 4. This Court issued notice to the 5th respondent Temple Advisory Committee by e-mail, through the 4th respondent - Administrative Officer of Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple, returnable by 18.01.2024.

3. On 18.01.2024, when this report came up for consideration, the learned Standing Counsel for Travancore Devaswom Board submitted that since the 4th respondent - Administrative Officer does not have an official e-mail ID, the email ID of the Assistant Devaswom Commissioner, Ettumanoor was furnished. By the order dated 18.01.2024, the Assistant Devaswom Commissioner, Ettumanoor, was suo motu impleaded as the additional 6th respondent. The learned Standing Counsel sought time to get instructions from the Assistant Devaswom Commissioner as to whether notice has already been served on the 5th respondent - Temple Advisory Committee.

4. On behalf of the 2nd respondent - Travancore Devaswom Board, an affidavit dated 22.01.2024 has been placed on record, wherein it is stated that the annual festival of Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple of the year 1199 ME will commence on 11.02.2024 with Kodiyettam and will end on 20.02.2024 with Arattu. The festival is conducted strictly following the customs, traditions and rituals of the temple. The annual festival is conducted by the Board in association with the 5th respondent Temple Advisory Committee, with the cooperation of all the devotees. ‘Kodikkoora’ and ‘Kodikkayar’ for hoisting the flag are made at Chengalam Vadakkedathu Illam, which will be collected by the 4th respondent - Administrative Officer and brought to the temple in a procession from Chengalam Sree Bhagavathy Temple, via Arpookkara Sree Subramania Swamy Temple, Kuttianikulangara Sree Bhagavathy Temple and Mariyamman Kovil Devasthanam. All activities connected with the above ritual are done with the assistance of the 5th respondent Temple Advisory Committee, with the cooperation of all the devotees and strictly conforming to the directions issued by this Court in W.P.(C)No.3258 of 2015. Every year, ‘Kodikkayar’ and ‘Kodikkoora’ will be offered by some devotees as Vazhipadu, who will bear the expense of making and bringing the same from Vadakkedathu Illam, Chengalam to Ettumanoor Sree Mahadeva Temple. The devotee offering ‘Kodikkayar’ and ‘Kodikkoora’ will not be permitted to publish any notice in their name or collect any money from the public in connection with the same. The 4th respondent - Administrative Officer maintains a register recording the names of the devotees who offer ‘Kodikkoora’ and ‘Kodikkayar’ for the annual festival. For the year 1199 ME (2024), two persons, namely, Chandrasekharan Nair, Kummanam, Kottayam and Kannan Kadapoor, Vattukulam, expressed their interest in offering ‘Kodikkoora’ and ‘K