Court declines interference with conditional festival permission protecting drinking water source over traditional holy dips.

Vizha" festival including “

kwW; k; mUtpapy; ePuhLjy mdd; jhdk ; and ;” on 22.04.2026 to

01.05.2026 for ten days, to celebrate the festival in "Sri Senbaga Devi Temple", which is situated in Courtallam Hill at Tenkasi Petitioner District, on the basis of petitioner's representation dated 26.03.2026.

For Petitioner :Mr.S.Manoj Kumr For R1, R3, R4 & R5 :Mr.J.K.Jeyaselan Government Advocate For R2 :Mr.K.Gnanasekaran Government Advocate (Crl.Side)

ORDER

The writ petition is filed for a mandamus directing the respondents 4 and 5 to grant permission to conduct "Chithra Pournami brd;gfj;njtp mUtpapy; jPu;j;jk; vLj;jy;

Vizha" festival including “

kwW; k; mUtpapy; ePuhLjy mdd; jhdk ; and ;” on 22.04.2026 to

01.05.2026 for ten days.

2. Heard Mr.S.Manojkumar, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and Mr.J.K.Jeyaselan, learned Government Advocate, who takes notice on behalf of the respondents 1, 3, 4 & 5 and Mr.K.Gnanasekaran, learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side), who takes notice on behalf of the 2^nd respondent.

3. When the matter came up for hearing today, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that traditionally the festival is celebrated at the Arulmigu Sri Senbaga Devi Amman Temple. He would further submit that devotees usually take a dip in the holy falls before conducting pooja and the practice of conducting 'Annadanam' has been followed for several years. While the HR & CE authorities have granted permission, the Forest Department has not granted the same, as the area falls within a reserved forest.

4. When the matter was taken up for admission, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Forest Department produced a communication dated 22.04.2026 issued to the petitioner, whereby permission for conducting the festival has been granted subject to certain timing restrictions and other conditions. However, devotees have been prohibited from taking a dip in the falls on the ground that the water source is presently used as a drinking water source for the area. Since this necessity has prompted the Forest Department to grant modified permission.

5. This Court is not inclined to interfere with the same on the ground of tradition. If the drinking water source is permitted to be used for a holy dip, it may become unfit for consumption.

6. In view of the above, taking into consideration that permission has already been granted for the conduct of the “Chithra Pournami Vizha” festival at Sri Invega Devi Temple, the Forest Department is directed to ensure proper arrangements, including the prohibition of all plastic items during the visit of devotees.

7. With the above directions and observations, the writ petition stands disposed of. No costs.