Pooja Is For Deity, Not Public Convenience': Supreme Court Questions Guruvayoor Temple's Decision to Skip Udayasthamana Pooja
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, December 11, issued notice in a petition challenging the decision of the Guruvayoor Sri Krishna Temple administration to forego the ‘Udayasthamana Pooja’ on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, citing public convenience. The Kerala High Court had earlier upheld this decision in its judgment dated December 7, 2024.
The bench comprising Justice JK Maheshwari and Justice Rajesh Bindal raised concerns regarding whether the pooja could be canceled solely on the grounds of public inconvenience. Justice Maheshwari remarked, “Pooja has been stopped on the pretext of causing inconvenience to the public. Pooja is for the deity. For increasing the divinity of the deity. So, this cannot be as per the public. Management may find a way to manage things. How far this reason is justified, we have to examine this point.”
SUPREME COURT DIRECTIONS
The Court issued notice to the respondents, including the Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee, the Thantri, and the State of Kerala, directing them to respond within four weeks. In the interim, the Court ordered that the schedule of daily poojas as published on the temple’s website should not be altered or removed. Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan and Advocate-on-Record A Karthik represented the petitioners.
PETITIONER'S CONTENTIONS
The petitioners argued that the Udayasthamana Pooja, traditionally performed on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, is a centuries-old religious practice integral to the temple's customs. They contended that the ritual is essential for enhancing the divinity of the deity and forms part of the deity’s rights to be worshipped. The petitioners submitted that the cancellation of this pooja disrupts the spiritual sanctity of the temple and offends the beliefs of its devotees.
Although the petitioners sought immediate relief to ensure the pooja was conducted on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, the Court observed that the scheduled time for the ritual had already passed. Justice Maheshwari stated, “Today we cannot do anything... We will issue notice to the other side. Prima facie we are satisfied.”
RESPONDENT'S ARGUMENTS AND HIGH COURT RULING
The temple administration and the Tantri defended their decision, asserting that the Udayasthamana Pooja is not a compulsory ritual but a voluntary offering (Vazhipadu). They argued that the change was necessary to manage large crowds and ensure smoother darshan for devotees. The Kerala High Court, in its judgment, concluded that the performance of the Udayasthamana Pooja was a matter of temple traditions and offerings, and any disputes concerning its status must be resolved before a competent civil court. The Court also noted that under the Guruvayur Devaswom Act, 1978, the Tantri has the ultimate authority in determining ceremonial practices, unless such decisions contravene any law.
BACKGROUND
The controversy arose from a decision by the temple administration, supported by the Tantri, to cancel the Udayasthamana Pooja on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, citing difficulties in crowd management. Members of the temple’s hereditary priestly family challenged the decision, emphasizing its historical and religious significance.
The matter will be heard further after four weeks, with the Supreme Court examining whether the reasons cited by the administration justify the cancellation of the ritual. This case raises critical questions regarding the balance between administrative convenience and the preservation of religious traditions in temple management.
Cause Title: PC Hary v. Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee
Case no: SLP(C) No. 29687/2024
Bench: Justice JK Maheshwari, Justice Rajesh Bindal
