Today, in a proceeding reflecting the judiciary’s restraint in matters of faith and temple customs, the Kerala High Court has observed that the Moolavigraham (main idol) of the centuries-old Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple may only be touched by individuals expressly authorized by the temple’s tantri (chief priest), and that too, only after undergoing prescribed rituals of fasting (vratham) and purification (shudhikaranam).
The Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha observed, while addressing the delicate nature of the issue, that the Court’s role was inherently limited, “As far as we are concerned, we can only go by the conceded position that there are some defects (in the idol). Now, how it is to be done – it has to be done under the supervision of the tantric (priest). To say that you are going to enter inside and repair/touch the idol – it is a very delicate situation... Only authorised persons, having taken vratham and with that purity can go in.”
He further clarified that the sanctity attached to the idol and the rituals surrounding it are not matters open to judicial determination but are governed by belief and tradition, stating, “One thing is sure. If you want to touch the moolavigraham, it has to be done in a particular manner. Not anyone in the world can touch it. Only the authorised tantris and those permitted to do so by the priest can. Even if an ashari (carpenter) has to do it, we believe the ashari has to take the vratham, undergo purification, and then only they can do it.”
The Bench also cautioned against any casual or unauthorized intrusion into the temple sanctum, observing that even technical expertise cannot override ritual protocol. The Court thus placed the onus squarely on the tantri to supervise and decide upon the procedures to be followed for any repair work. It observed, “these are not things that ordinary humans like us can speak about expertly... We believe certain people have that power. For the time being we believe and we hope that the chief tantri will be in a position to handle all this.”
Justice Ramachandran also mentioned that there have been occasional reports of improper practices in some temples, stating, “I’m not talking about Padmanabhaswamy temple, but there were even allegations that some saw liquor in some temples.”
The Court remarked, “Chaithanyam sheyichu (the temple's aura has diminished), some are saying. The chaithanyam there is universal chaithanyam – how to check it, we do not know... There is nothing less about the chaithanyam there. It’s a very powerful place, a cosmic centre.”
The matter has been adjourned to October 24 to allow the petitioners to examine a memo filed by the temple’s administrative committee.
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