Palani murugan temple to follow agama full order HONOURABLE MR.T.RAJA, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.No.2544 of 2023 T.R.Ramesh .. Petitioner. 29(1) of the Constitution of India. For Petitioner : Mr.P.Valliappan, Senior Counsel for M/s PV Law Associates For R1 and R2 : Mr.R.Shunmugasundaram Advocate General assisted by Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan Special Government Pleader For R3 and R4 : Mr.R.Bharanitharan ORDER (Delivered by The Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice)
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 28.01.2023
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.T.RAJA, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE
AND
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY
W.P.No.2544 of 2023
T.R.Ramesh .. Petitioner
Versus
1.State of Tamil Nadu,
Rep. by Secretary to Government,
Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Dept., Namakkal Kavingar Maaligai, Fort St. George, Chennai – 9.
2.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments,
119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai,
Nungambakkam, Chennai – 34.
3.Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer, Arulmigu Dandayudapani Swamy Thirukoil, Pazhani – 624 601. Dindugal District.
4.Arulmigu Dandayudapani Swamy Thirukoil, Rep. by its Chairman, Board of Trustees, Pazhani – 624 601.
Dindugal District. .. Respondents
Prayer: Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking for issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to perform all the rituals in accordance with Agamas including the Mandalabishekam in the fourth respondent Pazhani Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, pursuant to the Kumbabhishekam performed on 27.01.2023 as per the Agamas and consequently, forbear the respondents from performing a truncated or namesake Mandalabishekam contrary to the established practices followed in Agama Temples and in violation of Rule 9 of the Rules under the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947,
Sections 28, 105(a) and 107 of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 and Articles 25, 26 and 29(1) of the Constitution of India.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Valliappan, Senior Counsel for M/s PV Law Associates
For R1 and R2 : Mr.R.Shunmugasundaram Advocate General
assisted by Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan
Special Government Pleader
For R3 and R4 : Mr.R.Bharanitharan
ORDER
(Delivered by The Hon’ble Acting Chief Justice)
Mr.T.R.Ramesh, claiming to be the President of Indic Collective Trust and Temple Worshippers Society, has filed this writ petition seeking for issuance of a mandamus directing the respondents to perform all the rituals in accordance with Agamas including the Mandalabishekam in the fourth respondent Pazhani Sri
Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, pursuant to the Kumbabhishekam performed on 27.01.2023 as per the Agamas and consequently, forbear them from performing a truncated or namesake Mandalabishekam contrary to the established practices followed in Agama Temples and in violation of Rule 9 of the Rules under the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947, Sections 28, 105(a) and 107 of the
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959 and Articles 25, 26 and 29(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Mr.P.Valliappan, learned Senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the fourth respondent Pazhani Sri Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple, is one of the most ancient temples in Tamil Nadu. The deity Pazhani Murugan is also known as “the diety” of the Tamil Land. The temple was constructed in accordance with the Agamas and every ritual needs to be performed for the deity and the temple should be in strict compliance with such Agama. Temple existing in its foothill is also known as Tiruavinankudi, which is the third Padai Veedu of Lord Murugan and situate at Pazhani Hills at an elevation of 1500 feet above the sea level. The deity of Pazhani is known as Dandayudhapani Swami. The Moolavar deity worshiped at the sanctum sanctorum is made out of an amalgam of nine poisons popularly called Navabashana. Lord Murugan is the son of Lord Shiva and son-in-law of Lord
Vishnu. He has other names such as Kulandaivelan, Balasubrahmanyan,
Shanmukhan, Devasenapati, Swaminathan, Vallimanalan, Devayanaimanalan,
Palaniandavar, Kurinjiandavar, Arumugan, Saravanan, Sevarkodiyon, etc. Lord
Murugan of Pazhani Temple is being worshiped by crores of people living across the world such as Tamils, Keralities, Sri Lankans, Malaysians, Fijians, etc.
3. Continuing further, learned Senior counsel submitted that recently, the temple administration of the fourth respondent at the instance of the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department took a decision to conduct
Kumbabhishekam and the same was performed on 27.01.2023. The previous
Kumbabhishekam in Pazhani Temple was performed on 03.04.2006 and as per the Agamas, within 12 years, Kumbabhishekam has to be performed. However, the temple administration failed to perform the Kumbabhishekam within such period and on the other hand, fourth respondent temple was consecrated by performing Maha Kumbabhishekam on 27.01.2023, for which the temple was also renovated hurriedly. As per the Agamas, Mandalaabhisekham should be performed continuously for 48 days following Kumbabhishekam and restricting the Mandalaabhisekham prior to completion of 48 days is against the established religious custom and practice. The devotees would come to the temple on all the 48 auspicious days as they would get the same blessings as if they had been there on the day of Kumbabhishekam. But, without any rhyme or reason and in complete derogation of Agamas in performing Mandalaabhisekham, the temple authorities have proposed to perform the Mandalabhishekam on the fourth day of Kumbabhishekam held on 27.01.2023. This is against the established customs of temple rituals and this would affect the sentiments and feelings of Hindus.
4. Learned Senior counsel further submitted that Mandalaabhishekam is also known as “Tripaksha Yajanam”, which is 64th Kriya or ritual part of Kumbabhishekam, therefore, the same cannot be curtailed or diluted. Since the respondents in connivance with the trustees appointed by the Government took a decision to reduce the Mandalaabhishekam from 48 days to 3 days, the same is liable to be interfered with.
5. Learned Senior counsel relying on the dictum laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court in Seshammal and Others Vs. State of Tamil Nadu [1972 (2) SCC 11], submitted that if any rule is framed by the Government which purports to interfere with the established long standing customs, rituals and ceremonies of the temples, the same will be liable to be challenged by those who are interested in the temple worship. Therefore, the petitioner has got legitimacy to approach the Court for the reason that the Committee entrusted for performing Maha Kumbabhishekam of the fourth respondent temple has violated/breached the rules of Agamas and well established customs, as they have restricted to have the Mandalaabhisekham only for 3 days, instead of performing Mandalaabhisekham for 48 days continuously from the date of Kumbabhishekam. Hence, a direction may be given to the respondents as prayed for in the present writ petition.
6. Mr.R.Shunmugasundaram, learned Advocate General, assisted by Mr.N.R.R.Arun Natarajan, learned Special Government Pleader for respondents 1 and 2 and Mr.R.Bharanitharan, learned counsel for respondents 3 and 4, submitted that the Kumbabhishekam was performed in the very same fourth respondent temple even in the year 2006 and even at that point of time, after the kumbabhishekam which was held on 03.04.2006, when Panguni Uthirram festival had intervened on the third day of Mandalabhishekam, the Mandalabhishekam was performed only for three days and Panguni Uthiram festival was allowed to continue. Therefore, based on the previous practice, a similar decision has been taken in this case also and at no point of time, the respondents had any idea or plan to breach or violate the Agamas. In support of his submission, learned Advocate General, producing a copy of the written instructions dated 09.01.2023, stated that although Mandalabhishegam is being performed in all the temples wherever the Kumbabhishegam took place continuously for 48 days, when a local festival or any other important festival like Thaipoosam intervenes in the temple where the Kumbabhishegam has been performed, the Mandalabhishegam is restricted to three days only. Since the Thaipoosam festival in the Pazhani Sri Dhandayuthapani temple is to be celebrated on 05.02.2023, the temple administration has restricted the manadalabhishegam for three days.
7. Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties, as the issue assumes religious significance, we also started to glide through some of lectures/materials available with us on the ancient Pazhani temple. People around the globe proudly speak of the seven wonders of the world, but Tamil Nadu is blessed with the natural wonders of the world. One such wonder is the most famous shrine at Palani, Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swami temple created by the mystic yogi Bhogar in the form of Lord Muruga with the mixure of nine poisons (navapashanam). The Great Wall of China, being the oldest structure of the new seven wonders of the world, was built 300 years B.C., but was not finished until sometime in the yearly 1600s. The Colosseum in Rome was infamous for being home to the bloody gladiator games, where Romans were engaged in a fight for the death as public entertainer in ancient Rome, which was also built in 70 A.D. Even the Taj Mahal built at Agra in India between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz, is another wonder of the world. The Navapashana deity of Muruga created by the mystic yogi Bhogar 3000 years B.C., is also considered as a natural wonder of the world. According to the epigraphical source and his book Bhogar Seven Thousand, the mystic yogi’s period is around 3000 B.C. After gaining knowledge in medicine, astrology, spirituality, yoga etc., anticipating that in due course of period, human beings would suffer from large number of disease, as an expert in medicine, the mystic yogi used 1448 rare herbs and made nine poisonous medicines into one medicine to cure all diseases, that is the idol of Lord Muruga at Palani. The mystic yogi Bhogar, being a legendary South Indian Siddhar, hailed by birth from the caste of goldsmith, finally became a Siddhapurusha under the guidance of Kalinganaath. In Bhogar’s Sapthakanda, he is considered one amongst the 18 Siddhars born in the world. The mystic yogi Bhogar is believed to have confided with his disciple Pulippani that if milk and panchamirtham are poured on the head of Lord Muruga idol and after a few minutes, if they are taken and consumed by anyone, it would cure all the human diseases. Thousands of devotees who consumed the holy milk and panchamirtham, had claimed that they were healed from the awful and damned human disease. When these wonders of the world are all remembered either for entertainment or for admiring the architectural beauties, the idol of Lord Muruga at the Arulmighu Palani Dhandayuthapani Swami temple made with Navapashanam by the mystic yogi Bhogar is only aimed for the betterment of the common people and the future generation to lead a peaceful and disease free life. Therefore, the Kumbabhishegam/Samprokshanam has to be performed as per the Agama rules. The shrine of Palani Sri Dhandayuthapani Swami temple created by yogi Bhogar and one existing in its foothill also known as Tiruavinankudi, which is considered as the third Padai Veedu, the same has been overshadowed due to the popular idol created by Bhogar. Yet another remarkable factum of the shrine shows that yogi Bhogar had also worshipped Lord Shiva by doing pooja to the Maragadha
Linga (Emerald Linga) surrounded by Goddess Sri Bhuvaneswari, Lord Ganesa and
Lord Dhandayuthapani. These precious antiques are also preserved in the Bhogar Samadhi. Bhogar is also known to have made his own Samadhi by digging out a cave in the chamber under the very idol of Muruga (Dhandayuthapani Vigraha). As Siddhar Boghar has attained Jeeva Samadhi, the devotees visiting the holy shrine of
Lord Dhandayuthapani Swami also realise the fullest satisfaction on visiting the Siddhar’s samadhi as well. Secondly, coming to the claim of the petitioner to perform the Mandalabhishegam for 48 days from the date of performing Kumbabhishegam, would not only avoid stampede, but also would help the devotees to follow social distancing during the pandemic time. Thirdly, if the Mandalabhishegam is performed for 48 days continuously, the trade and commerce would be promoted in and around Palani, rather than restricting the same to three days, which would definitely cause hardship to the people vis-a-vis devotees living all over the State and the country. Since scientists and archaeologists are still baffled with the divine greatness of this great temple, devotees all over the world throng this temple on all these 365 days. When Kumbabhishegam is being performed in the temples, be it Shiva, Vishnu, Murugan, Amman, etc., it has been the longstanding custom and practice that the mandalabishegam is being performed for a period of 48 days. Recently, in Ettukudi Sri Murugan Temple situated at Nagapattinam District, when Kumbabhishegam was performed on 27.01.2023, the temple administration has made arrangements for performing the mandalabishegam for a period of 48 days. Earlier also, in the famous Sri Murugan Temple situated at Vadapalani, Chennai, after performing the Kumbabhishegam on 23.01.2022, the Mandalabhishegam was performed for a period of 48 days. Since Arulmighu Dhandayuthapani Swami temple at Palani with yogi Bhogar’s samadhi made in the cave are the living evidence and speaking ornaments of Hindu religion, performing Kumbabhishegam followed by
Mandalabhishegam are important necessity for preserving this evidence for the future generation. Therefore only, performing Mandalabhishegam for 48 days from the date of Kumbabhishegam has to be fulfilled. When we indicated to the respondents that while consecrating the Pazhani Murugan temple and other temples in the State, as per the longstanding custom and practice, it is befitting to continue the Mandalabhishegam for a period of 48 days in the temple in question, they sought time to get instructions from the parties and we also passedover the matter. Thereafter, upon getting instructions from the respective parties, they have agreed to settle the issue amicably as per the terms stated below:-
(a) The Mandalabhishekam shall continue with 11 kalasams on all the 48 days and on the 48th day, Mandalaabhisheka Poorthi will be done by performing abishekam with 1008 Conches.
(b) Thaipoosam festival shall also continue simultaneously as per
the original schedule announced by the temple administration, as per the will and desire of the Murugan devotees living across the world.
8. In the light of the above, when the learned Advocate General has agreed that the Mandalabhishegam will be performed continuously for 48 days in the Pazhani Sri Dhandayuthapani Swami temple, directing them to do so as undertaken before us, the writ petition stands disposed of. Consequently, connected WMP.No.2638 of 2023 is closed. However, there shall be no order as to costs.
(T.R., ACJ.) (D.B.C., J.)
28.01.2023
Index: yes
Neutral citation: yes rkm/ss
To
1.The Secretary to Government,
Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Dept., Namakkal Kavingar Maaligai, Fort St. George, Chennai – 9.
2.The Commissioner,
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments,
119, Uthamar Gandhi Salai,
Nungambakkam, Chennai – 34.
3.Joint Commissioner/Executive Officer,
Arulmigu Dandayudapani Swamy Thirukoil,
Pazhani – 624 601. Dindigal District.
4. The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Arulmigu Dandayudapani Swamy Thirukoil, Pazahani – 624 601.
Dindigal District.
THE HON’BLE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE and D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY, J.
rkm W.P.No.2544 of 2023
28.01.2023
