[Cites 1, Cited by 0]
Madras High Court
S.Muruganantham vs The Joint Commissioner on 18 February, 2026
Author: Krishnan Ramasamy
Bench: Krishnan Ramasamy
W.P.(MD)No.4304 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 18.02.2026
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY
W.P.(MD)No.4304 of 2026
& W.M.P(MD)Nos.3577 & 3578 of 2026 of 2026
1.S.Muruganantham
2.J.Sundarrajan
3.Rudhramoorthy
4.Balaguru
... Petitioner
Vs.
1. The Joint Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn.) Department
Madurai.
2. The Deputy Commissioner/Executive Officer
Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple
Thirupparankundram, Madurai.
... Respondents
Prayer:
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India
praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 2nd respondent to fix
the date for the Maasi Festival commencing from 01.03.2026, initiating
by Kaappukattuthal in Arulmigu Veyilugundha Amman Temple,
Thirupparankundram, Madurai followed by the 10 days rituals, as
requested by the petitioners in their representation dated 07.02.2026
1/7
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W.P.(MD)No.4304 of 2026
For Petitioner : Ms.J.Anandhavalli
for Ms.S.Meenakshi Babu
For Respondent : Mr.K.Balasubramani, SGP for R1
Mr.V.Chandrasekar, for R2
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed to direct the 2nd respondent to fix
the date for the Maasi Festival commencing from 01.03.2026, initiating
by Kaappukattuthal in Arulmigu Veyilugundha Amman Temple,
Thirupparankundram, Madurai followed by the 10 days rituals, as
requested by the petitioners in their representation dated 07.02.2026.
2. When this matter came up for hearing on 13.02.2026, this Court
has passed the following orders:
“This writ petition has been filed seeking a
direction to the second respondent to fix the date for the
Maasi Festival commencing from 01.03.2026, beginning
with Kaappukattuthal, in Arulmigu Veyilugundha Amman
Temple, Thirupparankundram, Madurai District,
followed by the ten days’ rituals, as requested by the
petitioners in their representation dated 07.02.2026.
2. Mr.K.Balasubramani, learned Special
Government Pleader, takes notice for the first respondent
and Mr.V.Chandrasekar, learned counsel, takes notice
for the second respondent.
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3. The learned counsel appearing for the
petitioners would submit that the Maasi Festival is
traditionally celebrated in the above temple with ten days
of rituals, commencing with Maavusathuthal on Sunday
and followed by Kaappukattuthal on Monday night. It is
further submitted that during the same Tamil month of
Maasi, on the day of Maasi Karthigai, animal sacrifice is
performed by a particular community as part of long-
standing temple customs.
4. According to the petitioners, the respondents
have now fixed the Maasi Festival from 16.02.2026 to
23.02.2026. It is submitted that 15.02.2026 is
Mahasivarathiri and, during that period, separate poojas
and rituals connected with Sivarathiri will be performed.
Therefore, it would not be feasible to conduct the ritual
of Maavusathuthal simultaneously. It is further submitted
that Maasi Karthigai falls on 23.02.2026 and that every
year, on that day, animal sacrifice takes place inside the
temple premises as per established practice. If the
Sivarathiri rituals, Maavusathuthal, and
Kaappukattuthal are conducted simultaneously, it would
cause inconvenience to devotees and would be contrary
to the customary practices of the temple, considering the
distinct nature of the rituals performed on those
occasions.
5. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for
the respondents would submit that the festival dates have
already been fixed by Sthanika Bhattars after conducting
Aarudam. It is contended that the petitioners, being
poojaris, cannot seek alteration of the dates once they
have been fixed by the competent temple authorities.
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6. This Court, prima facie, is of the view that
during Mahasivarathiri, separate and elaborate poojas
are conducted. In such circumstances, conducting the
ritual of Maavusathuthal simultaneously may give rise to
practical and customary difficulties, as contended by the
petitioners. Further, the submissions regarding Maasi
Karthigai and the long-standing practice associated
therewith also require consideration.
7. In view of the above and considering the prima
facie case made out by the petitioners, there shall be an
order of interim injunction restraining the respondents
from proceeding with the Maasi Festival as per the
schedule fixed from 16.02.2026 to 23.02.2026, until
further orders.
8. Registry is directed to post this case on
18.02.2026 for further hearing.”
3. As per the direction of this Court vide aforesaid order dated
13.02.2026, today, the learned Special Government Pleader appearing
for the respondents would submit that the original Maasi festival, which
was planned from 16.02.2026 to 23.02.2026, has already been stopped.
4. Now, the learned counsel for the petitioner made a request to fix
the beginning date of Maasi festival on 02.03.2026.
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5. However, the learned counsel respondents would submit that
the petitioner may be permitted to start the festival from 01.03.2026.
Hence, he requests this Court to pass appropriate orders.
6. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the respondents
and also perused the materials available on record.
7. In the present case, the original Maasi Festival, which was
planned between 16.02.2026 and 23.02.2026 was stopped. Now, a
request was made by the petitioner to commence the said Festival on
02.03.2026. However, the respondents seek for commencement on
01.03.2026.
8. In view of the above, the petitioner is granted liberty to make
submission before the respondent with regard to the commencement of
Maasi festival either on 01.03.2026 or on 02.03.2026. In such case, the
respondent shall take a decision on this aspect in accordance with law.
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9. With the above directions, this writ petition is disposed of. No
cost. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are also
closed.
18.02.2026
Speaking/Non-speaking order
Index : Yes / No
Neutral Citation : Yes / No
nsa
To
1. The Joint Commissioner
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Admn.) Department
Madurai.
2. The Deputy Commissioner/Executive Officer
Arulmigu Subramaniyaswamy Temple
Thirupparankundram, Madurai.
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KRISHNAN RAMASAMY.J.,
nsa
& W.M.P(MD)Nos.3577 & 3578 of 2026 of 2026
18.02.2026
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