IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.S.SATHEESACHANDRAN MONDAY, THE 23RD MAY 2011 / 2ND JYAISHTA 1933 WP(C).No. 12079 of 2011(H) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- MRS. GIRIJA CHANDRAN, AGED 61, W/O. P.CHANDRAN, 'SREYAS', EAST NADA, GURUVAYOOR-680101. BY ADV. SMT.SADHANA KUMARI ESWARI RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SECRETARIAT,TRIVANDRUM-1. 2. GURUVAYOOR DEVASWOM MANAGING COMMITTEE, REP. BY ITS CHAIRMAN, DEVAWOM BUILDING, GURUVAYOOR-680101. 3. GURUVAYOOR DEFVASWOM, REP. BY ITS COMMISSIONER, GURUVAYOOR DEVASWOM OFFICE, GURUVAYOOR-680101. 4. ADMINISTRATOR GURUVAYOOR DEVASWOM, GURUVAYOOR-680101. R2 TO R4 BY ADV.SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 23/05/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN & S.S.SATHEESACHANDRAN, JJ. ----------------------------------- W.P(C).No.12079 OF 2011 ------------------------------------ Dated this the 23rd day of May, 2011 JUDGMENT Thottathil B.Radhakrishnan,J. The complaint of the petitioner, who calls herself a devotee of Guruvayoorappan, is that there are certain deviations from the traditional ritualistic practices in connection with the festival in Guruvayoor temple. She says that certain untoward incident had happened in the Pradakshinas in connection with Pallivetta. It is pointed out that on the 9th day of the festival, i.e., on the Pallivetta day, devotees dressed up as “Pannis” (wild boars) are permitted to run along with the Pradakshinas. However, she now says that during the immediately proceeding year, the ritual was not permitted to be completed and prizes were also awarded during certain earlier years. We are clear in our mind that these are matters touching rituals and practices in connection WPC.12079/11 2 with the customary practices of a temple and are not to be subject to judicial review and cannot be governed by judicial directions. Learned standing counsel for the Guruvayur Devaswom states that now the managing committee is not in office. We, therefore, direct the Commissioner of Guruvayur Devaswom to take up any representation of the petitioner, that may be pending, and take appropriate decision thereon in accordance with law, if necessary in consultation with the Thantri and other advisory agencies as may be necessary. Obviously, the views of the hereditary trustee would also be obtained. Let this be done within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The writ petition is ordered accordingly, without entering any further on merits. Sd/- THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN, Judge. Sd/- S.S.SATHEESACHANDRAN, Judge. kkb.23/5.