SC directs Guruvayur Temple to hold Udayasthamana Pooja on Vrischikam Ekadashi

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered that the ‘Udayasthamana Pooja’ at the Guruvayur Temple be held on Vrischikam Ekadashi day. The court observed that it is the Thantri’s (chief priest’s) duty to enhance the spiritual energy (chaithanyam) of the deity. The Thantri cannot alter rituals merely for devotees’ convenience, the court added.

A Bench, comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, stated that if the spiritual energy of the deity diminishes, the number of devotees visiting the temple may also decline.

This year, Vrischikam Ekadashi falls on December 1. Through its interim order, the Supreme Court has directed that the Udayasthamana Pooja be held on that day.

Earlier, the ritual was scheduled for November 2, corresponding to Thulam Ekadashi. The court further clarified that if the Thantri deems it appropriate, the Udayasthamana Pooja may also be conducted on Thulam Ekadashi in addition to Vrischikam Ekadashi.

The decision to shift the ritual to Thulam Ekadashi had been taken earlier due to the heavy rush of devotees during the Vrischikam month. Following a request from the Guruvayur Devaswom Board, the Thantri had sought divine guidance and permitted the change. Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for the Thantri, informed the court that all ritual procedures had been duly completed as per tradition.

The Guruvayur Devaswom Board’s stance was that Udayasthamana Pooja is not a daily ritual but an offering (vazhipadu). Senior advocates Aryama Sundaram and M L Jishnu, appearing for the Board, argued that the final decision regarding temple rituals lies with the Thantri, and that the rescheduling had been done with his consent.

However, senior advocates C S Vaidyanathan, K Parameshwar, Guru Krishnakumar and advocate A Karthik, appearing for the petitioners, contended that the Udayasthamana Pooja is a long-standing ritual and the Thantri cannot unilaterally alter it.

Justice refrains from temple visit

Justice J K Maheshwari said he refrained from visiting the Guruvayur Temple as he was hearing related cases. He was in Kerala to attend the wedding of his friend and fellow judge C T Ravikumar’s daughter. However, since the petitions concerning the temple were before his Bench, he chose not to visit.

Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram, appearing for the Devaswom Board, noted that all rituals at Guruvayur are conducted strictly according to tradition, adding that even singer K J Yesudas is not permitted to sing inside the temple as per customary practice.