P.SHANMUGAM, J.

Defendants are the appellants. The suit for a declaration that the plaint schedule properties belong to the plaintiffs as service inam lands and for a direction to the defendants to put the plaintiffs in possession of the same was decreed as prayed for by the learned Principal Subordinate Judge and the appeal is against this judgment and decree.

2. The brief facts of the case are stated below. The parties are described as per their rankings before the trial court.

3. The plaint schedule land bearing Survey No.403 of Idaripatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District of an extent of 318.28 acres was granted in inam to the ancestors of the plaintiffs for rendering Pandari service in Sri Kallalagar Temple, Alagarkoil, Melur Taluk, Madurai District. The said inam consists of supplying flowers and garlands of flowers for the worship in Sri Kallalagar Temple. According to the plaintiffs, the land is a minor inam granted for religious service and as such, inalienable and they are still rendering the service in the said temple. While so, it is stated that one of the ancestors of the plaintiffs, Pandari Sundararajayyan, executed a Cowle (Lease) Deed in favour of one