Ve.L.Manibharathy v. The Secretary To The Government

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 09.01.2024

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.KRISHNAKUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE R.VIJAYAKUMAR W.P.(MD) No.123 of 2024 and W.M.P(MD)NO.153 of 2024 Ve.L.Manibharathy ... Petitioner -vs1. The Secretary to the Government, Department of Tamil Development Culture, Religious Endowment, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 342.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable & Endowment Department, B-1, Road, Elise Nagar, Madurai - 625 010.

4. The Executive Officer/Assistant Commissioner, Shri Arulmigu Koodal Azhagar Thirukovil, Madurai - 625 001.

... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to ensure 2 days Kanupari Vettai festival 16.01.2024 to 17.01.2024 in Anuppanadi, Madurai as per SOP

(Standard Operating Procedure) and customs, practice and agama of Vaishnavites based on the representation dated 30.12.2023 preferred by the petitioner.

For Petitioner :

Mr.V.P.Rajan For R1 to R3 :

Mr.P.Thilak Kumar Government Advocate For R4 : Mr.S.Manohar

O R D E R

[Order of the Court was made by D.KRISHNAKUMAR, J.] This Writ Petition has been filed for issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to ensure 2 days Kanupari Vettai festival on 16.01.2024 to 17.01.2024 in Anuppanadi, Madurai as per SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and customs, practice and agama of Vaishnavites based on the representation dated 30.12.2023 preferred by the petitioner.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that in the previous years, the Executive Officer/Assistant Commissioner, Shri Arulmigu Koodal Azhagar Thirukovil, Madurai, who is the 4th respondent herein allowed the deity Lord Koodal Azhagar to visit Anuppanadi in Tamil month of ''Thai''

2nd to 4th day totally 3 days for Kanupari Vettai festival. Now, the 4th respondent reduced the deity visit to the Anuppanadi Village from 3 days to 2 days notwithstanding customs and Agama Rules. According to the petitioner's customs and practise of the festival, the deity will be taken from the temple and the same has been placed in the Anuppanadi Village for two days.

3. The learned counsel for the 4th respondent would submit that since on 15.01.2024 Matru Utchavam to be conducted to the deity and Mahakumbabishegam to be conducted on 21.01.2024, this year the visit of deity to the Anuppanadi Village would be restricted to one day and the deity shall be returned on 16.01.2024 itself.

4. When the matter was taken up for hearing on 04.01.2024, both parties agreed to convene a meeting before the Joint Commissioner on 06.01.2024 at 12.00 pm for exploring the possibility of setting the issues involved in the present Writ Petition.

5. Today, the 4th respondent is present before this Court and both parties agreed that the deity will be taken on 16.01.2024 at 6.00 a.m and

return back to the temple on the same day at 6.00 p.m. The petitioner has agreed for the aforesaid arrangement for this year alone.

6. In view of the aforesaid arrangement made between the parties in respect of this year alone, the deity will be taken on 16.01.2024 at 6.00 a.m and visit the Anuppanadi Village and return back on the same day at 6.00 p.m. The learned counsel for the petitioner has also made a request before this Court with regard to receiving of fees for Mandagapadi by the 4th respondent. The 4th respondent shall receive fees from the petitioner for Mandagapadi.

7. In fine, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. [D.K.K., J.] [R.V., J.] 09.01.2024 NCC :

Yes / No Index :

Yes / No Internet :

Yes / No CM

To:

1. The Secretary to the Government, Department of Tamil Development Culture, Religious Endowment, Secretariat, St.George Fort, Chennai - 600 009.

2. The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai - 600 342.

3. The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious Charitable & Endowment Department, B-1, Road, Elise Nagar, Madurai - 625 010.

4. The Executive Officer/Assistant Commissioner, Shri Arulmigu Koodal Azhagar Thirukovil, Madurai - 625 001.

D.KRISHNAKUMAR , J.

and R.VIJAYAKUMAR, J.

CM W.P.(MD) No.123 of 2024 09.01.2024