W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 03.07.2025 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE S.M.SUBRAMANIAM AND THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE S.SRIMATHY W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 S.Kamaraj @ Muthalankurichi Kamaraj ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The Union of India, Rep., by its Principal Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 501, 'C' Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 015. 2.The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep., by its Principal Secretary, Department of School Education and Sports and Youth Welfare (Archaeology), Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009. 3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thirunelveli District. 4.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Trust, State of Tamil Nadu, 119, Uthamar Ghandi Road, Chennai-600 034. 5.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Trust, Joint Commissioner Office, Trivandrum High Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli-627 002. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 6.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District. ... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus: a. to direct the respondents to renovate and maintain the artistic sculptures of Krishnapuram in Tirunelveli District; b. to direct the respondents to employ guides for explaining the significance and uniqueness of the statues in Krishnapuram in Tirunelveli District in Tamil, English and other national language to the visitors; c. to direct the respondents to keep the Krishnapuram temple in Tirunelveli District open from 6 am to 8 pm without any break, for enabling the visitors to see the statues without any hindrances; d. to direct the respondents to keep signboards, and audio explanation system in Tamil, English and other national languages near the statues to explain the signifiance and uniqueness of the Krishnapuram temple statues; e. to direct the respondents to permit the visitors to take photographs of the statutes in Krishnapuram temple; f. to direct the respondents to make arrangements for protecting the mural paintings and woodcrafts in the Gopuram of Thirupudaimaruthoor, Thirukurungudi and Kalakkad temples in Tirunelveli District, and display and explain about the significance and heritage to the visitors of the said temples; g. to direct the respondents to properly maintain and protect the stone statues in Nellaiyappar temple, Kalakkad Sivan Temple, Thirukurungudi Perumal Temple and Karunvelankulam Natarajar 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 Temple in Tirunelveli District within the time frame that may be stipulated by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Alagumani For R1 : Mr.R.Vijayarayan For RR2 to 5 : Mr.P.Subbaraj Special Government Pleader For R6 : Mr.M.Muthugeethaiyan O R D E R [Order of the Court was made by S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J.] With reference to the complaint raised by the petitioner to maintain the uniqueness of statues in Krishnapuram temple, the learned counsel for the sixth respondent Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, Tiruchendur, Thoothukudi District would submit that it is a sub-temple falling under the control of Subramaniya Swamy Temple and they have obtained a report from the Archaeological Expert. 2. The Archaeological Expert has stated that temple timings cannot be altered, since it is a living temple. It should not come under the monuments act and it could not be declared as a tourist spot. This temple is worshipped according to the vaishnava agamas 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 and cannot be opened from 06.00 am to 08.00 pm. It will be an action against agamic principles. If it is allowed as a tourist centre, then other religious people may come and it is against the practices of Hindu Religious Principles. It will raise law and order problem also. 3. That apart, the Mandalasthapathi, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, Office of the Joint Commissioner also has given an opinion that small damages are to be rectified very carefully, since there is a possibility of further damage. However, the temple authorities are taking steps to maintain the sculptures and other statues in the temple. That apart, the important statues are protected and sign boards are also fixed. 4. In view of the above, it is clear that all protective measures are taken. Therefore, no further consideration is required in this writ petition. 5. With reference to the other relief of making arrangements for protecting the mural paintings and woodcrafts in the Gopuram of Thirupudaimaruthoor, Thirukurungudi and Kalakkad temples in Tirunelveli District, the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department authorities are directed to look into the matter and take 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 all effective steps to protect the statues inside the temple and maintain the same properly by following the procedures. 6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition stands disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. [S.M.S., J.] [S.S.Y., J.] 03.07.2025 Index:Yes Internet:Yes NCC:Yes/No abr To 1.The Principal Secretary to Government, The Union of India, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, 501, 'C' Wing, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110 015. 2.The Principal Secretary to Government, State of Tamil Nadu, Department of School Education and Sports and Youth Welfare (Archaeology), Fort St. George, Chennai-600 009. 3.The District Collector, Office of the District Collector, Thirunelveli District. 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, J. and S.SRIMATHY, J. abr 4.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Trust, State of Tamil Nadu, 119, Uthamar Ghandi Road, Chennai-600 034. 5.The Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Trust, Joint Commissioner Office, Trivandrum High Road, Palayamkottai, Tirunelveli-627 002. W.P(MD)No.21578 of 2019 03.07.2025 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis