Madras High Court permits Brahmotsavam to be held in Nagai temple

Chennai: The Madras High Court has directed the authorities to conduct Brahmotsavam together with Prayaschitha for the Sri Sowriraja Perumal Temple at Thirukannapuram in Nagapattinam district from June 29 to July 11. A division bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and M Sundar gave the directive while disposing of a petition filed by Rangarajan Narasimhar of Sanathan Dharma / Sri Vaishnavism.

“As consensus had arrived at between the Fit person (Executive Officer) of the temple and the petitioner, we pass the following order by consensus of both parties. The Brahmotsavam together with Prayaschitha for the temple, namely Sri Sowriraja Perumal Temple shall be conducted in accordance with the schedule, i.e., from June 29, 2017, to July 11, 2017 (both days inclusive)”, the bench added.

The bench directed the Superintendent of Police, Nagapattinam to give all assistance that may be necessary to maintain law and order and to ensure smooth Brahmotsavam on these dates. The petitioner, as well as the officials and their staff shall act in tandem, cooperate with each other and ensure the conduct of the function was smooth, not impeded by any factor whatsoever, the bench added.

According to petitioner, the temple was in existence for more than 1,000 years. Every year, the Brahmotsavam of the temple was conducted in the Tamil month of Vaikasi such that the 9th day (Theerthavari) of the Utsavam coincides with Poonam (Full Moon Day). This was the practice for centuries together in the temple. This year, the starting day of the festival falls on June 1, 2017 as per the English Calendar, which was the 18th day of the Tamil month Vaikasi. However, the Fit Person (Executive Officer) cancelled the Brahmatsovam and decided to conduct Balalayam (repairs) in the temple, he added.

He said, “Agama Shastra’s do not permit conducting of Balalayam by stopping Utsavas.  In fact, the Shastra clearly states that Balalayam can be performed only after performing the Utsavas and Utsavas to continue even during Balalayam.

The Executive Officer has not even shown the basic administration/ management principles and basic courtesy that is expected of an officer of his calibre, which warrants a consultation with stakeholders of the temple. Instead, the officer has decided on his own that he will go ahead and conduct Balalayam in the temple by cancelling the Brahmotsavam without consulting anyone.”

The officer also blatantly put up a notice board in the temple premises indicating that the Brahmotsavam will not be performed this year on account of a decision taken to do Balalayam. The Executive Officer can only administer the immovable properties and cannot interfere in the Agamas and customs and usage prevailing in a particular temple, he contended.