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Madras High CourtWP/23579/2026disposed of

Kannan Ramanujachariyar v. The District Collector

2026-06-19Honourable Mr Justice Krishnan Ramasamy8 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 19-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY

1. Kannan Ramanujachariyar, S/o. Ramanujachariyar , Hereditary Trustee, No. 4/82 Purushothaman Koil street, Nangoor, Mayiladuthurai District 609 106.

2. Purushothaman A, S/o Annangarachari, Hereditary Trustee, No. 4/82 Purushothaman Koil street, Nangoor, Sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District 609 106.

..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The District Collector, Mayiladuthurai District , Office of the district collector ( collectorate), Mayiladuthurai 609 001 Tamil Nadu, India.

2. The Revenue Divisional Officer(Sub Collector) Sirkali, Mayiladuthurai District, Office of the Revenue Divisional officer, Sirkali 609 111 Tamil NAdu India.

3. The Tahsildar, Sirkali, Mayiladuthurai District, Taluk office, Sirkali, Sirkali 609 110 Tamil Nadu, India.

4. The Superintendent of Police, Mayiladuthurai District, Office of The Superintendent of Police , Mayiladuthurai 609 001 Tamil Nadu, India.

5. The Deputy Superintendent of Police , Sirkali Sub Division, Office of The Deputy Superintendent of Police ,, Sirkali 609 110 Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu India

6. THe Inspector of Police Thiruvenkadu Police station, Thiruvenkadu , Sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District 609 114 Tamil Nadu India

7. The Block Development officer Panchayat union office, Sirkali, Sirkali 609 110, Mayiladuthurai District Tamil Nadu India

8. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Mayiladuthurai Mayiladuthurai 609 001 Tamil Nadu India ..Respondent(s) PRAYER:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for an issuance of Writ of Mandamus, to grant permission to the petitioners to conduct the customary seven- day annual Theppotsavam (Float festival) of the seven temples under the hereditary trusteeship of the petitioners in the Thirupparkadal tank (Village Punja S.No. 158/1A) at Nangoor from 21.06.2026 to 27.06.2026 and directing Respondents 4 to 6 to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct thereof.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.Adith Narayan Vijayaraghavan For Respondent(s):

Ms.Inthu Karunakaran, Govt's Counsel For R1 to R3 Mr.Durai Gunasekaran Govt. Advocate (Crl.Side) For R4 to R6 Mr.D.Yashwanth Rajan, Govt's Counsel (HR & CE) For R8 Order This writ petition has been filed seeking to grant permission to the petitioners to conduct the customary seven- day annual Theppotsavam (Float festival) of the seven temples under the hereditary trusteeship of the petitioners in the Thirupparkadal tank (Village Punja S.No. 158/1A) at Nangoor from 21.06.2026 to 27.06.2026 and directing respondents 4 to 6 to provide adequate police protection for the peaceful conduct thereof. 2.Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioners are the Hereditary Trustees of seven ancient Sri Vaishnava Temples situated at Thirunangoor (Nangoor), sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District, viz., Sri Purushothama Perumal Temple; Sri Vaikunthanatha Perumal Temple; Sri Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Trimanikoodam; Sri Kudamaadu Koothar

(Aappakkudathaan) Perumal Temple; Sri Pallikonda Ranganatha Perumal Temple; Sri Madhava Perumal Temple, Keezhsaalai and Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Kaavalampaadi. The Theppotsavam (Float Festival) of the deities of these Temples is an integral religious observance of the Temples' ceremonial tradition. By long-standing custom the Theppotsavam was conducted in the Temple Tank known as Thirupparkadal. For the current year the Theppotsavam (Float Festival) is scheduled to be held from 21.07.2026 to 27.06.2026. While so, a small group of persons led by one Rajadurai (Sivalingam) of Avalur began to raise objections, alleging that Thirupparkadal is a Government Tank. However, a peace committee meeting was held in this regard and so far there is no issue for conducting the Thepposavam (Float Festival). Now, the petitioner seeks for grant of Police protection for the peaceful conduct of Theppotsavam from 21.06.2026 to 27.06.2026.

3.Learned Government's Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 3 and the learned Government Advocate (Crl.Side) appearing for the respondents 4 to 6 would submit that a peace committee meeting has held regarding the conduct of Thepposavam (Float Festival) and they would provide adequate police protection during the Thepposavam (Float Festival) scheduled to be held from 21.07.2026 to 27.06.2026.

4.Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner; learned Government's Counsel appearing for the respondents 1 to 3; learned Government Advocate (Crl.side) appearing for the respondents 4 to 6 and learned Government's Counsel appearing for the 8th respondent.

5.Considering the submissions made by both parties, it is evident that by long-standing custom the Theppotsavam (Float Festival) was conducted in the Temple Tank known as Thirupparkadal and the procession will be taken place around the said Thirupparkadal Tank. Even assuming that the said Tank is a Government Tank, if majority of people conducting a procession around the said Tank which is a customary practice of seven ancient Sri Vaishnava Temples situated at Thirunangoor (Nangoor), Sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District, the same should be permitted. As this has been a customary practice of the aforesaid temples for several years, the Tank itself was likely constructed to serve the temple.

Such being the case, it is the responsibility of the respondents 1 and 4 to ensure that the Theppotsavam (Float Festival) is carried on without any law and order issue. Accordingly, the respondents 1 and 4 are directed to provide adequate Police protection to the Theppotsavam (Float Festival) scheduled to be held from 21.06.2026 to 27.06.2026. If any persons indulge in creating law and order problem during the Theppotsavam (Float Festival), the respondents 1 and 4 are directed to take action against those persons.

6.In view of the above, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 19-06-2026 (1/2) Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order RST Note:- Issue Order Copy on 19.06.2026.

To

1. The District Collector Mayiladuthurai District , Office of the district collector ( collectorate), Mayiladuthurai 609 001 Tamil Nadu India.

2. The Revenue Divisional officer(Sub Collector) Sirkali, Mayiladuthurai District, Office of the Revenue Divisional officer, Sirkali 609 111 Tamil NAdu India

3. The Tahsildar Sirkali, Mayiladuthurai District, Taluk office, Sirkali, Sirkali 609 110 Tamil Nadu India

4. The Superintendent of Police Mayiladuthurai District, Office of The Superintendent of Police , Mayiladuthurai 609 001 Tamil Nadu India

5. The Deputy Superintendent of Police , Sirkali Sub division, Office of The Deputy Superintendent of Police ,, Sirkali 609 110 Mayiladuthurai District, Tamil Nadu India

6. The Inspector of Police Thiruvenkadu Police station, Thiruvenkadu , Sirkali Taluk, Mayiladuthurai District 609 114 Tamil Nadu India

7. The Block Development officer Panchayat union office, Sirkali, Sirkali 609 110, Mayiladuthurai District Tamil Nadu India

8. The Joint Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Mayiladuthurai Mayiladuthurai 609 001 Tamil Nadu India

KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J.

RST 19-06-2026 (1/2)