Court’s Decision
The Supreme Court of India granted interim relief directing that the Udayasthamana Pooja must be performed strictly in accordance with long-standing temple traditions on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, without alteration, rescheduling, or substitution. The Court held that rituals of significant religious value cannot be unsettled merely on apprehensions of crowd management or administrative inconvenience. The Court emphasised that “faith of the worshippers at large ought not be put aside on the anvil of managerial and administrative concerns.”
The Court further permitted the Thantri to additionally conduct the Pooja on another date if he considered it necessary as per the customs.
The interim application was disposed of with directions for parties to complete pleadings within eight weeks, with the matter to be listed in March 2026.
Facts
The matter arose from a dispute regarding the performance of the Udayasthamana Pooja, an important ritual traditionally conducted at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple on Vrishchikam Ekadasi, a highly auspicious day for devotees.
According to the applicants, the ritual had been performed since time immemorial; they contended that this specific Pooja on this specific day was inseparable from the temple’s settled customs. The temple committee, however, stated through affidavit that the ritual had been performed since 1972, not since antiquity.
The ritual was altered or discontinued on the last Vrishchikam Ekadasi based on a decision taken by the Thantri in consultation with the committee, citing heavy inflow of devotees and severe administrative difficulties. The applicants approached the Supreme Court when the ritual was again proposed to be altered for the upcoming Vrishchikam Ekadasi on 1 December 2025.
When the matter earlier came before the Supreme Court on 11 December 2024, the Pooja for that year had already concluded, and the Court restrained alterations to the published schedule pending further orders. The applicants now sought an explicit direction permitting the ritual to be performed in the traditional manner for 2025.
Issues
- Whether a long-established religious ritual can be altered, rescheduled, or discontinued on the grounds of administrative inconvenience and crowd management concerns.
- Whether the Supreme Court should intervene at the interim stage to preserve religious customs pending final adjudication.
- Whether the temple management and Thantri were justified in discontinuing or modifying the ritual on Vrishchikam Ekadasi based on logistical considerations.
Petitioner’s Arguments
The applicants argued that the Udayasthamana Pooja on Vrishchikam Ekadasi is a sacred, non-negotiable ritual deeply embedded in the religious and cultural ethos of the temple. They submitted that the ritual had always been performed on this day and that its discontinuation in the previous year caused great anguish among devotees. They emphasised that religious customs cannot be interfered with for administrative convenience and that crowd management concerns can be addressed through proper preparation rather than altering rituals.
They contended that the Thantri’s decision to modify the ritual was arbitrary and inconsistent with temple tradition, and that the court must uphold the sanctity of religious practices until the matter is finally decided.
Respondent’s Arguments
The temple committee and the Thantri opposed the relief, asserting that the discontinuation was undertaken after consulting the Thantri and after assessing Devahitham, meaning the welfare of the deity was prioritised. They argued that the huge inflow of devotees on Vrishchikam Ekadasi created unmanageable crowding, safety concerns, and logistical difficulties, rendering it impractical to conduct the ritual on the same day. They claimed that the modification was made solely in the interest of public order and the smooth functioning of the temple.
They also submitted that the ritual had not existed since ancient times but only since 1972, and that the modification did not violate any longstanding inviolable custom.
Analysis of the Law
The Supreme Court’s interim analysis rested on the foundational principle that religious practices forming part of established traditions must be protected, especially when they hold deep cultural and devotional significance.
While acknowledging the concerns raised by the managing committee, the Court held that administrative inconvenience cannot override the sanctity of religious customs, particularly those associated with sacred days such as Vrishchikam Ekadasi.
The Court reinforced that temple rituals, especially those performed by Acharyas for enhancing the divinity of the deity, carry intrinsic spiritual significance, and any interference must be justified by compelling and unavoidable reasons.
Precedent Analysis
The order does not refer to or rely upon external case law. However, the Court’s reasoning reflects well-settled jurisprudence that courts ordinarily refrain from interfering in religious rituals unless essential rights or safety are jeopardised.
The Court relied exclusively on the factual and religious context of the temple, the affidavits of the parties, and the principles of protection of religious customs.
Court’s Reasoning
The Court reasoned that:
- The ritual was being performed on Vrishchikam Ekadasi for many decades and had acquired religious significance.
- Faith and sentiments of devotees cannot be subordinated to crowd-related concerns, especially on sacred occasions.
- The temple has a rich religious history, and altering its customs can “run scramble through the sentiments of the devotees.”
- Rituals meant to enhance the divinity of the deity must take precedence on special days.
- Administrative inconvenience, however genuine, cannot be the basis to discontinue essential rituals.
Based on this, the Court held that interim protection was necessary to preserve established customs until final adjudication.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court of India directed that the Udayasthamana Pooja must be conducted on Vrishchikam Ekadasi exactly as per tradition, without alteration or substitution. The Court further clarified that if the Thantri wishes to additionally perform the Pooja on another date as per custom, he may do so. The interim application was disposed of while granting eight weeks for completion of pleadings and listing the matter in March 2026.
Implications
- This order underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to protecting age-old religious customs against administrative interference.
- Temples and religious institutions must exercise caution before altering rituals that hold emotional and spiritual significance.
- The ruling strengthens devotees’ rights to continuity of religious practices.
- It may influence future disputes involving alterations to temple rituals due to logistical concerns.
