Long-Standing Temple Rituals Can’t Be Altered For Administrative Ease: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that religious rituals followed for many years at places of worship cannot be modified for administrative convenience.

The Court, while hearing a dispute over the Udayasthamana Pooja performed on Vrishchikam Ekadasi at Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple, directed that the ritual must be conducted on December 1, 2025, in accordance with traditional customs. 

The Court observed that faith and long-standing traditions must take precedence over managerial concerns, as altering them could hurt devotees’ sentiments.

The bench declined to interfere with the ritual and allowed the temple administration to perform an additional pooja on another date if desired.

[P.C. Hary v Guruvayoor Devaswom Managing Committee]