The Court emphasized the need for administrative accountability in the conduct of temple rituals and the handling of administrative requests made under Article 226 of the Constitution.

JUDGMENT

K. V. Jayakumar, J.

This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India , by the Temple Advisory Committee of Thirumadhura Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Muvattupuzha, seeking the following reliefs:

“(i) To issue writ of Mandamus or other appropriate writ or order directing 2 to 5 respondents to take immediate action to accord administrative sanction for the Punapratista Rites to the Temple Advisory Committee under the supervision of the Board Officials.

(ii) To issue writ of Mandamus or other appropriate writ or order directing the respondents to consider Exhibit P5 and P6 representation to seal the coupons for collecting funds from devotees for Punapratista rites.

(iii) To issue writ of Mandamus or other appropriate writ or order directing the Board to waive the advance remittance amount of the coupon amount (Odukku), which is required before the coupon can be sealed.

OR

Direct the Devaswom Board to conduct the Punapratista Rituals as per the schedule already approved by the Skhetram Tantri.

(iv) To issue writ of Mandamus or other appropriate writ or order directing the Board to consider Ext. P2 application to appoint Full time Pujari and staffs for the smooth running of the Temple.”

2. The writ petitioners state that Sree Thirumadhura Sreekrishna Swamy Temple is one of the ancient temples in the Muvattupuzha area, situated on the banks of the Muvattupuzha River. The Temple premises consist of a main Sreekovil of Lord Krishna, as well as shrines for Devi Prathishta, Lord Ayyappa, and other deities. The said temple was in a dilapidated condition due to lack of proper maintenance and neglect over the years.

3. It is further stated in the Writ Petition that the members of the Temple Advisory Committee, in the presence of the Thanthri of the temple, took an Anujna in 2019 to complete the renovation work of the Sreekovils and the Mandapam within 5 years.

4. We have heard the submissions of Sri Jagath N., learned counsel for the petitioner, and Adv. G. Santhosh Kumar, learned Standing Counsel for the Travancore Devaswom Board.

5. The learned counsel for the petitioner has highlighted two issues. Firstly, it is submitted that the renovation of the temple is nearing completion and the Punaprathishta of the idols is scheduled to be held from 17.02.2026 to 25.02.2026. However, the Devaswom Board has not taken any steps to conduct the Punaprathishta in accordance with Ext.P3 ‘Charthu’ issued by the Thantri. Although the petitioner has submitted representations (Exts.P5 and P6) before the Board, requesting the issuance of sealed coupons for the collection of funds necessary for the Punaprathishta, there is no positive response from the Board.

6. The learned counsel would further submit that the Temple Advisory Committee is ready and willing to conduct the Punaprathishta by collecting amounts from the devotees. According to the petitioner, as per Ext.P3 Charthu issued by the Thanthri, the estimated expenses for the conduct of Punaprathishta is Rs.26,95,000/-. In Ext.P5 request, the Temple Advisory Committee has also urged for a waiver of the advance remittance amount payable to the Board, which is the condition precedent for the issuance of sealed coupons.

7. In response, the learned Standing Counsel for the Travacore Devaswom Board submitted that the matter may be disposed of with directions to the Board to consider Exts. P5 and P6 representations in accordance with law.

8. We have gone through Exts.P5 and P6 representations and the additional documents (Exts. P8 and P9) produced by the petitioner. Along with Ext.P5 representation, a copy of the Charthu given by the Thanthri was also produced, which is extracted hereunder:

9. On a perusal of the Charthu