Kochi: The Kerala High Court has ruled that restoration work on the main idol (moolabimbam) and parts of the sanctum sanctorum at the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram must proceed only on the advice of the chief Tantri (Vedic head who sets the rules in temples).

A division bench comprising Justices Devan Ramachandran and MB Snehalatha made the ruling after the temple administration committee informed the court that restoration would begin based on an expert committee report. The bench said the Tantri has the final authority on ritual matters, and even the court’s powers are limited in such religious matters.

The court is hearing a petition filed by Kayamkulam native Adv R Rajasekharan Pillai, who alleged that no action has been taken to repair damage to the moolabimbam. During earlier hearings, the court sought the administration committee’s action report, the expert committee report, and the position of the Tantri.

The administration committee said the tantri was unable to provide guidance due to family commitments. The court directed that the Tantri’s advice must be obtained before any restoration proceeds.

The case will be reviewed again in the first week of October, and the chief tantri’s note is expected to be presented on that day.