Madras HC orders replacement of Sthapathi in panel for temple renovation

Chennai: The Madras high court has ordered the replacement of Muthaiah stapathi with K. Dakshinamoorthy Stapathi in the expert committee constituted by Madras high court for taking up renovations and repair works to be undertaken in temples across the state.

The Additional Advocate General PH Aravindh Pandian appearing for the HR&CE department submitted before Division Bench Comprising Justices M. Sathyanarayanan and GK ILanthiraiyan that two agama experts Stala Shayana Bhattacharyar and Dr S. Arunasundaram had attended only two meetings held by the expert committee and they did not co-operate with other members of the committee. Hence the Committee was unable to decide on some works in which agama action is essentially required.

As a result, the essential 'thiruppani' works especially the works related to the temples in dilapidated condition, renovation and restoration works and kumbabhishekam related works were affected.

Amicus curie, Senior counsel PS Raman submitted that with regard to replacement of 'agama' experts their views may be elicited but with regard to replacement of traditional stapathi is concerned the credentials of K. Dakshinamoothy stapathi appears to be good.

The Division Bench came to a conclusion to replace Muthiah Stapathi with K. Dakshinamoorhty Stapathi in the expert committee as Muthiah Stapathi has been facing criminal prosecution. The bench in its order said "K. Dakshinamoorhty stapathi is having educational qualification in B.Sc. in temple architecture from Madras University, M.A(Culture, religion, Philosophy) from Annamalai University and he is currently pursuing Doctorate in Tamil University, Thanjavur, and he has also been awarded very many awards and honors. He has also done research works, rendered services and made his contribution to important work in India and abroad. He also hails from a  family of stapathis.