BHANDARI, J.—The three Writ Petitions referred to above seek to challenge the vires of the Nathdwara Temple Act (Act No. 13 of 1959) (hereinafter called the Act) passed by the Rajasthan State Legislature. This Act received the assent of the President on the 28th of March 1959.

2. Writ Petition No. 90 of 1951 has been filed by Shri Tilkayat Govindlalji Maharaj of Nathdwara (hereinafter called the Tilkayat).

3. Writ Petition No. 310 of 1959 has been filed by Triyambak Lal and nine others who are the followers of the Vallabh Sampradaya and are hereinafter called the Vaishnavas.

4. The third Writ Petition No. 420 of 1960 has been filed by Goswami Shri Ghanshiamlal, head of the shrine of the Vallabh Sampradaya at Kamban (District Bharatpur), The respondents to all these Writ Petitions are the State of Rajasthan and the members of the Temple Board constituted under the Act and the executive Officer of the Board appointed under the Act.

5. Before we refer to the contentions of the petitioners in these Writ Petitions, it is both necessary and convenient to refer to the historical background of the Temple of Shrinathji at Nathdwara and also to the circumstances under which the impugned Act was

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