This appeal arises out of a suit filed by the 1st respondent in appeal (who died subsequent to the filing of the appeal) for permanent injunction restraining the defendants and the villagers of Eluvankottai Serkai from interfering with the worshipping as the first person and receiving thiruneeru and theertham on the days of Maduyeduppu and the eye opening ceremony for mud horses on the Kuthiraiyeduppu day when the said festivals are conducted for Vadakkuvasal Chellayee Amman Koil and Poduru Ayyanar Koil alias Sevugu Perumal Ayyanar Koil in Eluvankottai and Poduvayal revenue village.

.2. The plaint ran as follows: In the villages commonly known as ‘Pananthope Serkai’, the plaintiff was entitled to certain preferential rights in temples and certain honours in Pananthope and Eluvankottai Serkais, which were exercised by the plaintiff and his ancestors from time immemorial. Eluvankottai Serkai Village consisted of Eluvankottai Maduvikottai, Perivayal and Maruthani and Pahadi villages. In the village of Eluvankottai, there is a temple known as Vadakuvasal Chelliamman koil and another temple by name PoduvudiarAyyanar Koil alias Sovuga Perumal Ayyanar Koil in Perivayal. Festiva