S.Kumar v. The Secretary
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 07-01-2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY and WMP. No. 56655 of 2025 S.Kumar Petitioner Vs
1. The Secretary, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009. 2.The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3.The Joint Commissioner, Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Tamil Nadu HR & CE, Tiruvannamalai-606 601.
4.The District Collector, District Collectorate, Tiruvannamalai District-606 604.
Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to forthwith permit the petitioner and the person accompanying him to enter and access the Arunachaleswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai to witness and actively participate in the Milk Abhishegam (Arthajama Paal Abishegam) ritual performed in the Mulasthanam to Lord Arunachaleshwarar Swamy idol as an Ubayadar/donor.
For Petitioner:
Ms.V.Srimathi For Respondents:
Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader for R1 to R3 Mr.Senthil Murugan Special Government Pleader for R4
ORDER
This writ petition is filed with a prayer to direct the respondents to forthwith permit the petitioner and the person accompanying him to enter and access the Arunachaleswarar temple at Tiruvannamalai to witness and actively participate in the Milk Abhishegam (Arthajama Paal Abishegam) ritual performed in the Mulasthanam to Lord Arunachaleshwarar Swamy idol as an Ubayadar/donor.
2. The grievance of the petitioner is that he is a ardent devotee of the temple and has been making several donations to the temple and when he has made provisions for conducting the above said Milk Abhishegam as an Ubayadar, he is entitled to be present and participate in the event in a special manner at the place earmarked.
3. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that all that the petitioner expects is to be recognised as an Ubayadar and to express his devotion to the Lord. On the contrary, the authorities suddenly intercepted the petitioner and interfered with his right and therefore this writ petition has been
filed.
4. Per contra, Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, the learned Special Government Pleader, taking notice on behalf of respondents 1 to 3, would submit that every Ubayadar along with three accompanying persons is entitled to be present on a day of their choice for the special treatment and not on every day. Accordingly, the petitioner is permitted and will also be permitted on any day earmarked for this purpose by the temple authorities.
5. The temple allows the Ubayadar to choose any one of the normal days except festival days, as marked in the temple calendar. Therefore, the petitioner shall, well in advance, select a day of his choice and be present as Ubayadar, and the respondents shall also permit the petitioner and three others accompanying him to be present as Ubayadar on that particular day.
6. Accordingly, the writ petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. No costs. 07-01-2026 nsl
To
1. The Secretary, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai- 600 009. 2.The Commissioner, Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034.
3.The Joint Commissioner, Arulmigu Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Tamil Nadu HR & CE, Tiruvannamalai-606 601.
4.The District Collector, District Collectorate, Tiruvannamalai District-606 604.
D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY J.
nsl 07-01-2026