A recent petition has been filed with the Madras High Court opposing a government order that allowed pilgrims to ascend the Kanakasabhai Mandapam for a glimpse of the deity at Sri Sabhayagar Temple in Chidambaram.
The plea, filed by TR Ramesh, President of the Temple Worshippers Society and Indic Collective Trust, challenges the order issued in May 2022 and raises concerns about the interference of the Tamil Nadu government in the religious activities of the Chidambaram Natarajar temple.
The controversy originated during the Aani Thirumanjanam festival, a significant annual event held from June 24 to 27. Due to security concerns and the need to manage large crowds, priests overseeing the Thillai Nataraja temple prohibited pilgrims from ascending the golden platform. The temple administration believed that protecting the precious gems and conducting the puja would be difficult with the overwhelming number of devotees present during the festival. To ensure clarity, a board with restrictions was placed. However, on June 26, the board was removed by officials from the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department.
Ramesh argues in the petition that the Chidambaram Dikshitars, a Tamil-speaking Vedic Saivite group, have been responsible for conducting deity worship and managing the temple for nearly two thousand years. He points out that the government order fails to mention consultation with the Secretary to Podhu Dikshitars, disregarding the established usage and rights of the religious denomination guaranteed under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution.
The contested order, issued by the Principal Secretary for Tourism, Culture, and Religious Endowment Department, granted universal authorization to pilgrims visiting the Chidambaram Temple. However, it lacked clarity on the authority possessed by the secretary to issue such instructions, raising concerns about its legality. Ramesh further contends that the order directly interferes with the rituals performed in the Kanaka Sabhai, a raised platform beneath the temple's sanctum sanctorum.
Moreover, the petition highlights that the practice of allowing devotees to enter the Kanaka Sabhai for specific archana purposes had already been discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ramesh suggests that the decision to restrict access to the Kanaka Sabhai was prompted by motivated groups and non-believers, resulting in the issuance of the contested government order.
The limited capacity of the Kanaka Sabhai, which can only accommodate 7 to 10 devotees, raises concerns about preferential treatment and the potential disruption of the temple's peaceful atmosphere. The plea argues that the impugned government order lacks authority and violates Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which safeguard the religious freedom and rights of individuals and denominations.
The petition seeks the Madras High Court to declare the government order as ultra vires, unlawful, arbitrary, and without authority. Additionally, it requests a suspension of the order's implementation until the case is resolved. The court's decision will be crucial in determining the extent of government interference in the administration and religious practices of the Chidambaram Natarajar temple.
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