Having failed in both the courts below plaintiffs 1, 2 and 4 to 7, representing "the Hindu general public in the City of Rajapalayam" have filed this second appeal. Their suit O.S.No.93 of 1978 on the file of the Additional District Munsif, Srivilliputtur is for declaration that the suit institution is a "public religious institution belonging to the Hindu public in general as against the exclusive claim by the defendants on behalf of Rajus of Singaraja Kottai, Rajapalayam with a right of entry for all the Hindu citizens into it for worship in pujas according to the usage by Panda-rams of the "temple" (a temple called Arulmigu Mariamman Koil, Pudupalayam.) and for consequential injunction.

2. The pleas of the plaintiffs are briefly as follows: The origin of the said institution is unknown. However, the deity was granted by Karnatic Rajas in T.D.No182 of Sambandapuram village (now called as Pudupalayam). The grant was devadayam grant. In the year 1865, the T.D. was confirmed. After such confirmation, the institution has been under the management of Poojaries, otherwise called as Pandarams, the descendants of the registered holders of the grant. All communities participated