Ensure Worshipping Is Done In Accustomed Manner- Kerala HC Objects To Pilgrims Carrying Posters Of Film Stars To Sabarimala

The Kerala High Court recently directed the Travancore Devaswom Board that administers and manages the Sabarimala temple to take all necessary steps and to ensure that pilgrims worship at the temple premises in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in each temple.

The Bench of Justice Anil K. Narendran and Justice P.G. Ajithkumar observed that “we deem it appropriate to dispose of this DBP by directing the Travancore Devaswom Board to take necessary steps to ensure that no pilgrim is permitted entry to Sabarimala Sannidhanam, through Pathinettampadi, or to have darshan in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, carrying posters and huge photographs of celebrities, politicians, etc. as seen from the photographs reproduced hereinbefore and that, no pilgrim is permitted to play drum or other similar instruments in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, since every ‘worshipper’, who shows reverence and adoration for Lord Ayyappa, is duty-bound to exercise his right to worship in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in Sabarimala.”

Herein, the matter was taken up by the High Court suo moto on the basis of a complaint submitted by a devotee of Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha temple. The complaint was mailed to Registrar General of the High Court, about pilgrims bringing posters and huge photographs of celebrities, politicians, etc., to the Sabarimala Sannidhanam.

Senior Government Pleader S. Rajmohan appeared for the respondent.

The Court also took note the news item that appeared in online media of the performance by a drummer Sivamani, in front of the Sopanam at the time of opening of Sanctum Sanctorum.

The Court, considering these incidents observed that the restrictions imposed at Sabarimala were applicable to all worshippers who were duty bound to obey such restrictions, in order to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Temple and darshan for all pilgrims in the queue, especially during Maasa Poojas and festival seasons.

The Court further said that “According to Oxford Dictionary, ‘worshipper’ is a person who shows reverence and adoration for a deity. Right to worship is a civil right, of course in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in each temple.”

The Court also observed that, “a ‘worshipper’, who shows reverence and adoration for Lord Ayyappa, is duty-bound to exercise his right to worship in an accustomed manner and subject to the practice and tradition in Sabarimala. Therefore, no pilgrim can be permitted entry to Sabarimala Sannidhanam, through Pathinettampadi or to have darshan in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam, carrying posters and huge photographs of celebrities, politicians, etc.”

The Court, therefore, observed that the Sopanam Officer out not to have permitted the playing of drum in front of the Sopanam of Sabarimala Sannidhanam by a pilgrim and further directed the board to take necessary steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen again.

Cause Title- Suo Moto v. State of Kerala

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