Latest news with #Kumbhabhishekam
India Today
07-07-2025
- India Today
Gujarat man detained at Kerala temple for wearing smartglasses with hidden camera
A 66-year-old pilgrim from Gujarat was detained on Sunday evening after he attempted to enter the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district wearing smartglasses equipped with hidden cameras, police man, identified as Surendra Shah, was visiting the temple with his wife, sister, and other family members when security staff noticed a glare from his glasses at the entrance and stopped personnel, who inspected the glasses, found that they contained concealed cameras, a violation of the temple's strict prohibition on recording devices. Police registered a case against Shah under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (disobedience to lawful orders of public servants). He was served a notice to appear for questioning and allowed to return to his native place in Gujarat with his officers said there appeared to be no malicious intent at this stage, a detailed probe is month, hundreds of devotees thronged the famous shrine to witness the Maha Kumbhabhishekam, a grand consecration held after 270 with the Kumbhabhishekam, the reinstallation of the 300-year-old idol of Vishwaksena and the 'Ashtabandha Kalasam' ceremony at the Thiruvambadi Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, located within the complex, were also performed.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Kerala
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
SC declines to intervene in spat between Thiruchendur temple Vidhayahar and State government over Kumbhabhishekam time
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to intervene in an appeal filed by the Vidhayahar of the famed Thiruchendur Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple alleging that Tamil Nadu Government authorities intervened and 'unilaterally' fixed the Kumbhabhishekam for 6 a.m. on July 7. Disposing of the petition, a Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and N. Kotiswar Singh said the court did not have the expertise to decide the 'auspicious time' for the Kumbhabhishekam. The Vidhayahar, R. Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthirigal, represented by senior advocate K. Parameshwar and advocate Karthik Ashok, said he was the 'sole, exclusive, traditional and customary authority' on the rites of the temple. The State government had defied his decision to conduct the ceremony at 12.05 p.m. 'We cannot decide what is the auspicious time. We could say in future if they should consult with you, form a committee, etc… You claim your decision is binding as far as temple rites are concerned… But the binding nature of your opinion will be decided in the civil court and not in writ jurisdiction here,' Justice Misra told the counsel. Mr. Parameshwar said that, like the court, the State government too did not have a role in fixing the time for the Kumbhabhishekam. 'He is the sole and exclusive traditional and customary authority empowered to advise and fix muhurtham and timings for all religious and spiritual functions of the temple in accordance with Agamic and Vedic principles. According to the Vidhayahar, the only spiritually and astrologically appropriate timing is the Abhijit Muhurtham (12.05 p.m. to 12.45 p.m.), based on ancient texts such as Kala Prahasiha, Kala Vidhanam, and Sarva Mukurtha Chinthamani,' the petition had argued. It submitted that the decision of the Vidyahar was not considered and the Madras High Court had gone with the timing fixed by the Expert Committee for the Kumbhabhishekam. 'The very formation of the Expert Committee is fundamentally flawed and renders the process void of neutrality. Admittedly, three out of five members of the Committee had, even prior to the proceedings, already expressed opinions suggesting a different time than the one recommended by the petitioner. This renders the composition of the Committee biased, prejudicial, and a futile exercise,' the petition had submitted. It had contended that the government's actions were 'nothing but an unwarranted intrusion into the protected religious rights and practice and have directly undermined the Vidhayahar's traditional and legal authority'.
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Cheruvugattu temple's infra to be spruced up
Cheruvugattu (Nalgonda): The Telangana State Endowments and Charitable Trusts Department unveiled development plans for the Sri Sri Parvati Jadala Ramalingeswara Swamy temple, located in Narketpally mandal of Nalgonda district with an aim to enhance spiritual tourism and improve facilities for devotees. Special Chief Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyer, accompanied by Nakrekal MLA Vemula Veeresham, offered prayers at the temple and conducted a review meeting on the temple's development here on Monday. The session was attended by District Collector Ila Tripathi, Endowments Department Advisor Govind Hari, Commissioner Venkataram, temple officials, public representatives, and priests. Speaking to the media, Shailaja Ramaiyer stated that the temple is one of the better revenue-generating shrines in the region and continues to attract a growing number of devotees. 'We aim to further develop the temple and ensure better amenities for pilgrims,' she said. Key proposals discussed during the review include establishment of overnight stay facilities for pilgrims, construction of a second access road to the temple atop the hill, expansion of the existing Kalyana Mandapam, allocation of land for dedicated parking facilities, completion of the temple tank (Koneru), implementation of a queue line system, and arrangements for the upcoming Kumbhabhishekam ceremony. Notably, the temple currently owns 134 acres of land (44 acres on the hill and 90 acres at the base), holds Rs 24 crore in funds, and earns an annual income of Rs 14–16 crore. It also possesses 2.6 kg of gold and 241 kg of silver. Authorities highlighted the need to eliminate unplanned construction and accommodate future pilgrim needs. Veeresham underscored the need for better amenities, especially for the 60,000 pilgrims who gather on Amavasya. He recommended modern toilets, improved Giripradakshina paths, and systematic use of temple income. 'These improvements are being planned with a long-term vision to accommodate future needs,' said Ramaiyer. 'With the blessings of the deity, we are confident that all development works will be successfully executed.' She confirmed that just as major temples across Telangana have been upgraded, Cheruvugattu will also be restored with equal prominence under a scientifically prepared master plan. Later, she visited Chaya Someshwara temple located in Pangal of Nalgonda town and offered prayers to Lord Shiva.
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Supreme Court refuses to intervene in Madras High Court order on consecration rites in Tiruchendur temple
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) refused to intervene in a plea against a Madras High Court order constituting a committee to fix the schedule for Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) for Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu. A Bench headed by Justice P. K. Mishra however allowed the petitioner, R. Sivarama Subramaniya Sasthrigal, the Vidhayahar at the temple, to file a review plea against the High Court order. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court had directed the constitution of a committee of experts to decide the timing for conducting the consecration ceremony at the temple. The petitioner, in the High Court, had argued that he said he had been the Vidhayahar at the temple for the past 13 years. During temple festivals and other functions he had to fix the timings for their commencement, pujas and celebrations and point out customary and Agamic practices and principles to be adopted according to the nature of the deities and the functions, he had said in the High Court. He had argued in the High Court that the date (July 7) and the timing fixed for the ceremony were not suitable for the event. The petitioner had sought a direction to the authorities to follow the ancient texts and literature and declare the consecration ceremony.
NDTV
05-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Top Court Refuses To Interfere With High Court Order In Temple Consecration Case
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to entertain a plea challenging the constitution of a committee by the Madras High Court to decide the schedule for Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) for Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi district. The court, however, allowed the petitioner to file a review plea in the High Court against its order. A bench of Justices PK Mishra and AG Masih was hearing a plea by the Vidhayahar of the temple when it passed the directives. It noted that the petitioner had already participated in the committee that, he claimed, was biased. In his plea, the petitioner argued the High Court had failed to address the core constitutional and religious grievance that state authorities cannot override religious autonomy and temple customs, particularly when he is the only recognised figure competent to chalk out the schedule. "The order under challenge is thus arbitrary, devoid of impartiality, and suffers from a manifest error of law," the plea said. Appearing for the petitioner in the top court, senior advocate K Parameshwar also said the state's interference was unwarranted. "The prescription of a 'mahurat' is purely a religious function. It has nothing to do with regulation of the state," he said. The lawyer said the temple in question is considered one of the six largest temples of Lord Karthikay in Tamil Nadu. He said the petitioner belongs to a family that was traditionally tasked to decide the schedules for religious ceremonies at the temple. The High Court's move has led the state to completely take over the temple's essential functions, he added. "It is pertinent to note that three out of five members of the committee had, even prior to the present proceedings, gave an opinion at the instance of the Respondents/Govt authorities, suggesting a time different than what was recommended by the Petitioner, thereby making the constitution of the committee, biased, prejudicial and a futile exercise," the plea said. Instead of adjudicating upon the matter, the High Court created a committee, failing to address the issue of constitutional religious rights of the petitioner, it added.
