Devaswom Boards Should Provide Adequate Facilities For Devotees: Kerala High Court Reiterates Amid 'Naalambala Darshanam'

The Kerala High Court recently reiterated that the Devaswom Boards and temple managements have a statutory duty to provide adequate facilities and arrangements for devotees during 'Naalambala Darshanam', as per the relevant provisions of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act. 'Naalambala Darshanam' involves visiting four temples and it is an important pilgrimage for many devotees.

A Division Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G Ajithkumar accordingly issued directions to ensure compliance with these statutory obligations and protect the rights of the devotees.

The observation came in a suo motu case registered based on a news report about the annual event "Naalambala Darshanam" this year. The issue revolved around the arrangements and facilities provided for the event. 

In an earlier case, the Court had issued several directions regarding the conduct of 'Naalambala Darshanam' in 2022. The said judgment emphasized the duty of the Travancore Devaswom Board, Cochin Devaswom Board, and Koodalmanikyam Devaswom to ensure the prompt performance of traditional rites and ceremonies in the temples under their management.

Additionally, they were to establish and maintain proper facilities for the devotees during the event. It was further held that preferential treatment for devotees who availed Pilgrim Tourism Packages of KSRTC should not be introduced during 'Naalambala Darshanam' in specific temples, thereby mandating that all devotees have to follow the queue system in the temples for ‘Nalambala Darshanam'. 

When the matter was taken up last month, the Court highlighted the statutory obligations of the Devaswom Boards to provide facilities to devotees during the event and manage the properties and conduct rituals according to the traditional practices of each temple.

The Division Bench referred to the relevant provisions of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950, which deals with the administration, supervision, and control of Hindu religious endowments and funds. The Act places specific responsibilities on the respective Devaswom Boards to ensure the proper performance of traditional rites and ceremonies, establish and maintain facilities for devotees, and manage the properties and conduct of daily worship and festivals in the temples under their management.

It was also noted that out of the four temples in ‘Nalambala Darshanam’, the Sree Shathrughnan Temple at Payammal was managed by a Trust and had the responsibility of arranging daily worship and ceremonies according to its usage during 'Naalambala Darshanam.'

During subsequent hearings, the Standing Counsels and Senior Government Pleader informed the Court about the arrangements made in different temples for 'Naalambala Darshanam.' It was submitted that all four temples had provided separate queues for aged and sick persons, drinking water facilities, and toilets. Adequate ticket counters and Vazhipadu counters were also made available to ensure smooth 'Vazhipadu' performances without delay. The District Administration and District Police had taken measures for crowd management, law and order maintenance, and medical and fire rescue support during the event.

Accordingly, the Court disposed of the suo motu proceeding, directing the Devaswom Boards to continue providing proper facilities during future 'Naalambala Darshanam' events. It recorded the arrangements made at the Sree Shathrughnan Temple, Payammal, and the support provided by the District Administration, District Police, and medical and fire rescue teams.

The Bench reiterated that its previous directions issued in the 2022 judgment should also be followed in the coming years.

Senior Government Pleader S. Rajmohan, Standing Council for Cochin Devaswom Board Advocate K.P Sudheer, Standing Counsel for Travancore Advocate G. Biju and Advocate P.N. Damodaran Namboodiri appeared in the matter. 

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala 

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 371

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