Renovation or reconstruction of temples must be carried out in accordance with the established religious rituals, ceremonies, and traditional practices prescribed under the Agama Sastras.

ORDER:

1. This writ petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, claiming the following relief:

“to issue an appropriate writ more in the nature of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of Respondent No.3 in passing the order dated 01.05.2026 through PGRS and thereby trying to demolish/renovate Respondent no.9 temple without following the religious procedure of Agama Sastra as being illegal, unlawful, arbitrary and violative of Articles 14, 19, 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India and consequently direct the respondents not to make any further demolition/renovation without following the procedure contemplated under Agama Sashtras,”

2. The case of the petitioner is that he is a devotee and an interested person of Respondent No.9 Temple, seeking to protect the temple and its properties. The petitioner submits that Respondent No.3, being the competent authority, is allegedly taking steps towards renovation and reconstruction of the temple without observing the religious rituals, ceremonies as prescribed under the Agama Sastras. It is further contended that any renovation or reconstruction of the temple must be undertaken only after obtaining the necessary prior permissions and strictly in accordance with the rituals and ceremonies contemplated under the Agama Sastras.

3. On the other hand, the learned Government Pleader for Endowments appearing for Respondent Nos.1 to 5 submitted, on instructions, that as of now no steps have been initiated by the respondents for alleged renovation or reconstruction of Respondent No.9 Temple. It is further submitted that as of now, no funds under the CGF scheme have been sanctioned for the said purpose or any other funds either sanctioned or earmarked for this alleged renovation or reconstruction purpose. It is only an apprehension of the petitioner.

4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for Respondent No.9 Temple submits that, at present, there is neither any proposal nor initiation of any steps for renovation or reconstruction of the temple. It is only an apprehension expressed by the petitioner so far, it is only unfounded. It is further submitted that, in the event of any reconstruction or renovation is undertaken in future, the respondent authorities shall duly follow all religious ceremonies, rituals, and practices recognized under the Agama Sastras and prevailing traditions of Respondent No.9 Temple.

5. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Government Pleader for Endowments, and the learned Standing Counsel for Respondent No.9 Temple.

6. In view of the clear and categorical submissions made by the learned Government Pleader for Endowments and the learned Standing Counsel for Respondent No.9 Temple, this Court finds that the allegation of the petitioner that, Respondent No.3 is attempting to demolish and to renovate Respondent No.9 Temple is purely based on the apprehension or assumption of the petitioner. It is further clarified by the respondents that, if any reconstruction or renovation is undertaken in future, all customary ceremonies and established traditional practices should be observed in accordance with the Agama Sastras and customs of the temple shall be duly followed. In view of the clear and unambiguous admissions on the part of the respondents, this Court is of the considered opinion that the writ petition can be disposed of, directing the respondents to observe all the rituals and all other traditional practices as per Agama Sastras, in the event of any renovation or reconstruction of the temple in future.

7. With the above directions, writ petition is disposed of. No costs.