IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
Honourable Mr.Justice P.B. BALAJI
R.PERIYANNA GOUNDER – Appellant
Versus
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT – Respondent
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 04.12.2025 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE P.B. BALAJI W . P.No. 4 6 541 of 202 5 1.R.Periyanna Gounder
2.Subramani ... Petitioners Vs.
1. The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Fort.St.George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religiious & Charitable Endowment Board, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Erode Region, Erode District.
4. The Assistant Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Namakkal District.
5.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Kallamalai Perumal Thirukoil, Keeranur Village, Thotti Valasu, Rasipuram Taluk, Namakkal District ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 5th respondent to install the statues at 5th respondent temple and also perform Kumabishekam as per communication of 5th respondent dated 15.12.2024.
For Petitioners : Mr.R.Marudhachalamurthy For Respondents : Mr.M.Murali Govt.Advocate For R.1 Mr.K.Karthekeiyan Govt.Advocate For R.2 to R.4
ORDER
Heard Mr.R,Madudhachalamurthy, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr.M.Murali, learned Government Advocate for the first respondent and Mr.K.Karthekeiyan, learned Government Advocate for the respondents 2 to 4.
2. The petitioners are the ex-hereditary trustees of Arulmigu Kallamalai Perumal Thirukoil, Keeranur Village, Rasipuram Taluk, Namakkal District. The Temple is more than 100 yars old and it is located at Top of the Hill called Kallamalai which attracts devotees across the State as well as the Country. The last Kumbabishekam was conducted in the year 1998 with the help of contributions from the villagers and devotees who belong to the Temple. The Government authorities have also laid road for proper access to the Temple. Thirupani Committee was appointed to install statues of Alwars and also 10 Dasavatharams of Lord Vishnu and various deities as per Agama Shastra for which also, according to the petitioners, funds were raised from donations given by the devotees. The grievance of the petitioners is that despite statues having been ready for installation as per Agama Shastra, the respondents are not proceeding to install the same and in a hurried manner, they are attempting to perform Kumbabishekam without installing the statues. It is under such circumstances, the petitioners have approached this Court by way of writ petition.
3. The matter was adjourned for the learned Government Advocate to get instructions with regard to the grievance of the petitioners.
4. Today. Mr.K.Karthekeiyan, learned Government Advocate, on instructions, submits that necessary approvals are in place and the statutes are ready for installation and only after installing the new statues, Kumbabishekam is being proposed to be conducted on 22.02.2026.
5. In view of the above submission, the apprehension of the petitioners are satisfactorily and sufficiently addressed. Hence, no further order is necessary to be passed in this writ petition. It is suffice to record the state of the Department that Kumbabishekam will be performed on 22.02.2026 after installing new idols as set out in the written instructions forwarded to the learned Government Advocate by the Executive Officer of the Temple.
6. With the above observation, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
04.12.2025 Neutral Citation: Yes/No Speaking Order/Non-speaking Order Index : Yes / No sr To
1. The Secretary to Government, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department, Fort.St.George, Chennai-600 009.
2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religiious & Charitable Endowment Board, No.119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department, Erode Region, Erode District.
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