The defendants in O.S. 153 of 1976 on the file of Sub-Court, Ramanathapuram at Madurai are the appellants in the above appeal. The respondents, plaintiffs in the said suit filed the same for declaration and permanent injunction.

.2. The case of the plaintiff is as follows :-

.The suit temple has been managed out of the funds contributed by the regular worshippers belonging to the Nadar community. The said temple was never thrown open to any other community for worship. Poojaries are appointed from other community to perform pooja. The Nadar Grocery Merchants of Sivakasi were responsible for upkeep, progress and maintenance of the temple. The suit temple is being managed by the trustees appointed by the Sivakasi Grocery Merchants residing at Sivakasi belonging to Sivakasi Hindu Nadars. The expenses of the temple are met by donations and contributions made by Grocery Merchants from their Mahamai funds. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has uniformly accepted and recognised the suit temple as founded by the Grocery Merchants of Sivakasi Hindu Nadars. The plaintiffs submitted accounts to the Endowment authorities and they used to periodically inspect