HR&CE directed to decide on Tiruchendur temple timings

Madurai: Madras high court has directed Hindu religious and charitable endowments (HR and CE) department authorities to take a decision on the application challenging alteration to the temple timings of the Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur in Tuticorin district.The court was hearing the petition filed by the secretary of the Sri Subramaniya Swamy Thirukovil Sudhanthira Paribalana Sthalatharkal Sabha based at Tiruchendur. The petitioner challenged the proceedings of the temple authorities to alter the temple opening timings in view of the exponential increase in the number of devotees visiting the Tiruchendur temple.The petitioner’s counsel submitted that increase in the number of devotees cannot be a reason for altering the temple opening timings and the temple is bound by agamas. The senior counsel for the temple submitted that devotees cannot be totally disappointed or be prevented from having a darshan. Only considering the entire number of devotees, the timings are altered. There is no violation of any agamas. Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that it is the contention of the petitioner that there is violation of agamas in the alteration of temple timings. On the other hand, it is the contention of the fit person that there is no such violation.

The court does not have the expertise to decide the issue.Hence, the judge observed that the petitioner can file an application under Section 63 of the HR and CE Act before the regional joint commissioner of HR and CE department, Tuticorin, and by issuing notice to the fit person and everyone interested, the said question can be decided, and disposed of the petition.