The suit which was filed for declaration, injunction and possession was dismissed by the trial court but the first appellate court has decreed the suit for declaration but dismissed it regarding permanent injunction and possession. This second appeal is filed by the defendants. The plaintiffs have filed the cross objection.

2. The suit has been filed by the plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and as representatives of “Thousand Yadhavas Community”, Madurai, on the following allegations:

Sri Ramaswamy temple and Sri Navaneethakrish-naswamy temple which are in North Masi Street, Madurai town are under the management of the Devasthanam of “Thousand Yadhavas”

These temples belong to the community of Thousand Yadhavas’ who are mainly residents of Madurai Town and other places in Madurai District Thousand Yadhavas’ community forms a considerable section of the Hindu community. The temples are old ones and members of the public take part in its festivals. These temples are public temples. The plaintiffs are members of the Thousand Yadhavas’ community and worshippers of the deities in these temples.

The first plaintiff is the wife of one Krishna Konar, son of Palaniandi Konar. He