PIL filed against modifications in Tiruchendur temple dismissed

PIL filed against modifications in Tiruchendur temple dismissed

Mohamed Imranullah S.

High Court Bench permits petitioner to approach HR and CE Department

MADURAI: The Madras High Court Bench here on Monday dismissed as withdrawn a public interest litigation petition filed against the proposed creation of two passages to the Maha Mandapam of Subramaniaswamy Temple at Tiruchendur in Tuticorin district.

However, a Division Bench of Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice R. Subbiah said that the petitioner, Balasubramania Adityan, was at liberty to approach the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR and CE) Department and raise his objections to the proposed move.

The petitioner apprehended that demolishing the southern wall of the Maha Mandapam to create the passages might pose a threat to the structural stability of the old temple building besides disturbing the ancient theories based on which the temple was built.

The judges pointed out that in a letter written to the Executive Officer of the Temple on January 24, the HR and CE Commissioner P.R. Shampath had categorically said that the passages should be created only after soliciting the views of people.

The temple authorities had planned to create the new passages, each measuring 6.9 feet in height and 3.6 feet in breadth, as the existing 52-inch-wide passage was found to be inadequate for the huge number of devotees who visited the temple.

One passage was proposed to be constructed opposite the sanctum sanctorum of Swami Jayanthi Nathar, and another opposite the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Natarajar by following the Agama Sastras (ancient religious rules).

In his letter, the Commissioner had also made it clear that the work should be carried out under the guidance of Muthiah Stapathi, an expert in temple architecture, and without creating any kind of disturbance to devotees.

On the other hand, the petitioner, in his affidavit, claimed that demolishing a wall to create new passages and shifting of an idol of Nandhi and two statues of peacocks, considered to be the vehicles of Lord Subramaniaswamy, from the Maha Mandapam to Artha Mandapam was not acceptable to devotees.