‘Heavy crowds not a valid justification’: SC rejects date change in Guruvayur Udayastamaya Pooja

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dealt a setback to the Guruvayur Devaswom Board by issuing an interim order directing that the annual ‘Udayastamaya Pooja’ at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple be conducted on ‘Vrischikam Ekadashi’, which falls on November 21 this year.

The apex court bench, headed by Justice Aravind Kumar, added that the Devaswom Board may additionally perform the pooja on ‘Thulam Ekadashi’ (October 22) if required.

The ruling aligns with past traditions. Pointing to similar judicial intervention last year, the court noted that the Devaswom Board failed to demonstrate any hardship or practical difficulty arising from conducting the ritual on ‘Vrischikam Ekadashi’.

The Devaswom Board had earlier resolved to shift the ritual to the month of ‘Thulam’, citing heavy pilgrim rush during ‘Vrischikam’, a decision backed by the temple's chief priest (Tantri). However, the Supreme Court observed, “Managing heavy crowds is not a valid justification for altering long-standing ritualistic schedules.”

The court will hear detailed arguments on the matter in December.

The legal challenge against the Devaswom Board’s schedule change was mounted by P C Hari of the Puzhakkara Chennas Mana and other devotees. Senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan, Guru Krishna Kumar and K Parameshwar, alongside advocate A Karthik, represented the petitioners.

Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram and advocate M L Jishnu appeared for the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, while senior advocate V Giri represented the temple ‘Tantri’.