SC to hear Thiruchendur temple priest's plea on July 1 over consecration timing

The Supreme Court today agreed to hear on July 1 a petition filed by the Vidhayahar (chief temple priest) of the historic Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple in Thiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, challenging the Madras High Court's approval of the consecration (Kumbhabhishekam) ceremony timing fixed by an expert committee.

- 

The plea, filed by R. Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal, contends that the High Court erred in allowing the ceremony to be conducted on July 7 between 6 a.m. and 6.47 a.m., as recommended by a court-appointed Agama expert committee.

The petitioner asserts that the auspicious time should be 12.05 p.m. to 12.47 p.m., as fixed by him in his capacity as Vidhayahar of the temple.

The matter was mentioned orally before a bench of Justice KV Viswanathan and Justice NK Singh for urgent listing. Justice Viswanathan, upon learning that the temple in question was Thiruchendur’s famous Subramaniya Swamy Temple, remarked, “It is a good temple.”

During the exchange, the judge asked if the petitioner had fixed the time last year as well, to which the counsel confirmed and added that even the High Court had previously recognized the Vidhayahar’s authority in such matters.

However, this year, the counsel explained, the High Court had constituted a committee to determine the timing.