The court mandates enhanced compliance with customs regarding mobile phone use and access for non-Hindus in temples.

K. V. Jayakumar, J.

This Devaswom Board Petition has been registered on the basis of Report No. 76 of 2025 of the learned Ombudsman and pertains to the protection of the customs and rituals of the temple by avoiding the use of mobile phones and cameras inside the temple.

2. Sri K. Narayanankutty has submitted a complaint alleging that the Cochin Devaswom Board has not complied with the directions issued by this Court in D.B.P. No. 67 of 2024, dated 23.09.2024. In the said order, this Court directed the Board to restrict the use of mobile phones and cameras inside the temples.

3. The complainant alleges that no action was taken by the Board to implement the aforesaid order. The Devaswom Commissioner has filed a report before the learned Ombudsman, stating that necessary directions were issued to the Maramath Wing of Vadakkumnatha Temple for the construction of a counter for the safe custody of mobile phones, cameras, and other valuables. Instructions were also issued for the expansion of the Chappal Counter. However, permission for the construction of the counters was not granted by the Archaeological Survey of India, Thrissur Circle.

4. The complainant has also submitted another complaint before the Ombudsman, alleging certain violations during the Ashtadravya Mahaganapathy Homam and Anayoottu rituals conducted at Vadakkumnathan Temple on 17.07.2025. The complainant states that, during the ceremony, the Board and the Temple Advisory Committee permitted the entry of non-Hindus, namely Sri Varghese, Mayor of Thrissur Corporation; Sri Vijay Yesudas, a singer; and Smt. Sobhana George, Managing Director of Oushadi, and honoured them with ‘Ponnada’.

5. Yet another grievance highlighted by the petitioner in his complaint is that, the Board and the Temple Advisory Committee have permitted those VIPs to enter inside the temple compound with Chappals and permitted photography and videography inside the temple.

6. We have heard the submissions of Sri. K.P. Sudheer, the learned Standing Counsel for the Cochin Devaswom Board, Sri. S. Rajmohan, the learned Senior Government Pleader and Sri. P. Ramachandran, learned Amicus Curiae for Ombudsman.

7. Three issues were highlighted in the complaint of Sri. K.

Narayanankutty. The first issue is with respect to the use of mobile phones and cameras inside the temple compound. We have already issued directions in this regard in DBP No. 67 of 2024 dated 23.09.2024. The Cochin Devaswom Board is directed to comply with the directions in its letter and spirit. With regard to the second and third issues, ie., the use of footwear/chappals inside the temple and the entry of non-Hindus as special guests/invitees into the temple, we have considered those issues and passed a detailed order in WPC No. 43218 of 2023 dated 30.01.2026 [ Sanil Narayanan Nampoothiri v. State of Kerala ( 2026 KER 7100 )].

8. In that view of the matter, we are of the view that no further order is required to be passed in this matter.

DBP is closed accordingly.

Sd/-