Madras High Court Upholds Thengalai Sect’s Exclusive Ritual Rights at Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Temple

The Madras High Court, in a Division Bench of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and S. Sounthar, upheld the Thengalai (Southern Cult) community’s exclusive right to perform the Adhiapaka Mirasi (ceremonial worship) at Sri Devaraja Swamy Temple in Kancheepuram.

The Court dismissed challenges from the Vadagalai (Northern Cult) community seeking to recite their own mantram and prabandham during official worship.

Drawing on over 200 years of prior judicial rulings, it held that historical injunctions do not violate fundamental rights, citing public order and denominational rights under Articles 25 and 26.

The Court directed the temple’s executive trustee to enforce prior decrees, emphasizing that individual worship cannot infringe the ritual rights of office holders. 

[Rajahamsam v. Narayanan]