IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD (Special Original Jurisdiction) TUESDAY, THE ELEVENTH DAY OF JANUARY TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE PRESENT THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE A.GOPAL REDDY WRIT PETITION NO : 70 of 2005 Between: 1 Saram Mohana Reddy, S/o.Sarsam Satti Reddy, R/o.1-83/A. Majidpur village, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy District. 2 Abbagoni Bhaskar, S/o.Sankarayya, R/o.1-75, Majidpur Village, Shamirpet Mandal, R.R.District. ..... PETITIONERS AND 1 The Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Ranga Reddy District at Yadagiri Bhavan, Bharkatpura, Hyderabad. 2 The Inspector of Endowments, Ranga Reddy District East Division, at Yadagiri Bhavan, Barkatpura, Hyderabad. 3 Sri Kshetragiri Venkateswara Swamy Devasthanam, rep.by its Manager, Endowments Department, Majidpur, Village, Shamirpet Mandal and Ganapur Village, Medchal Mandal, Ranga Reddy District. .....RESPONDENTS Petition under Article 226 of the constitution of India praying that in the circumstances stated in the Affidavit filed herein the High Court will be pleased to issue a writ, order or direction, more particularly one in the nature of writ of mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents in not allowing the petitioners, the villagers of Majidpur village in the matter of coducting of pongal Festival celebrations scheduled to be held from 14-1-2005 to 16-1-2005 at Kshetragiri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Majidpur/Ghanpur Villages, Ranga Reddy District, as being arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional and contrary to the practice and custom in vogue and issue a consequential directions directing the respondents to permit the petitioners participation in the said festival and pass such other order or orders. Counsel for the Petitioners: MR.P.YADAGIRI RAO Counsel for Respondents 1 and 2: GP FOR ENDOWMENTS Counsel for Respondent No.3: -- The Court at the stage of admission made the following ORDER: The petitioners claim to be the residents of Majidpur village, Shamirpet Mandal, Ranga Reddy District and devotees of Lord Venkateswara of Sri Kshetragiri Venkateswara Swamy Temple. According to them, as per the age-old custom and practice prevailing, the people belong to Majidpur and Ghanpur villages are having equal rights in the matter of conducting pongal festival celebrations (Jaatara) in the abovesaid temple, including performance of rituals to the diety and for carrying palanquin. Out of the four persons, two will be selected from Majidpur and the other two from Ghanpur. While so, the third respondent issued a phamplet mentioning the name of Ghanpur village only, as if the temple belongs to it, for conducting an auction on 11-01-2005 in respect of the leasehold rights of cycle stand, for sale of coconuts etc., contrary to the old- age custom. Hence, this writ petition. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and also the learned Government Pleader for Endowments. Learned Government Pleader for Endowments, on instructions, submits that the Endowments Department is allowing the villagers of Majidpur in conducting the pongal festival celebrations (jaatara) at Sri Kshetragiri Venkateswara Swamy Temple, Shamirpet Mandal, to be held from 14.01.2005 to 16.01.2005 irrespective of the notification as per the prevailing age-old custom. The same is taken on record. In view of the submission made by the learned Government Pleader, the apprehension of the petitioners that they will be deprived of their right to participate in the pongal celebrations, cannot be countenanced. Hence, the writ petition is accordingly disposed of. ---------------------- 11.01.2005 Note: Issue CC by tomorrow. (BO) ksld/kdl To 1 The Assistant Commissioner of Endowments, Ranga Reddy District at Yadagiri Bhavan, Bharkatpura, Hyderabad. 2 The Inspector of Endowments, Ranga Reddy District East Division, at Yadagiri Bhavan, Barkatpura, Hyderabad. 3 Two C.Cs. to the Government Pleader for Endowments, High Court Buildings, A.P., Hyderabad, (OUT). 4 Two C.D. Copies.