IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN & THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.BHAVADASAN TUESDAY, THE 28TH SEPTEMBER 2010 / 6TH ASWINA 1932 WP(C).No. 16569 of 2010(U) ---------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ----------------------- C.R. VASUDEVAN NAIR, RADHA NIVAS, MALLAPUZHASSERY, ARANMULA, PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT. BY ADV. DR.K.P.SATHEESAN, SRI.K.K. GOPINATHAN NAIR, SRI.MATHEW SUNNY, SRI.ANOOP V.NAIR. RESPONDENT(S): -------------------------- 1. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, REPRESENTED BY ITS COMMISSIONER, DEVASWOM BOARD OFFICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, ARANMULA GROUP, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, ARANMULA. R1 & R2 BY ADV. SRI.K.N.VENUGOPALA PANICKER, SC, TDB., SRI.P. GOPAL, SC. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 28/09/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: rs. THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN & P. BHAVADASAN, JJ. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P.(C) No. 16569 of 2010 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 28th day of September, 2010. JUDGMENT Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan, J, We have perused the statement submitted by the Secretary of the Travancore Devaswom Board. To some extent, we are surprised that a priest is able to carry out the Nadathurakkal, Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam in Moorthitta Sree Ganapathi temple within half an hour. We do not want to further elaborate on the possible ritualistic performances in connection with Abhishekam and Malar Nivedyam. Yet, we notice that the admitted case is that even while the temple remains open, there is no priest available for a considerable span of time, leaving the sanctum sanctorum with none to guard in terms of the religious and ritualistic requirements. Yet, the participation of the local public is increasing year by year and the income has also gone up. WPC. 16569/2010. 2 2. Having regard to the increase in income and expenditure during the three financial years noted in the statement, we think that there is no reason why the temple in question shall not have a Santhi on full time basis. Therefore, a Santhi on a temporary basis shall be appointed forthwith, doing away part-time system, that is now in force. This arrangement will continue for a period of six months, within which, a permanent Santhi will be appointed in the temple without fail. This writ petition is ordered accordingly. Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan, Judge P. Bhavadasan, Judge sb.