W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 22.09.2025 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE ANITA SUMANTH AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 M.Pattam ... Petitioner /Vs./ 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Nungambakkam Hihgway, Chennai. 2.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramaniar Swami Temple, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin District. ...Respondents PRAYER:- Writ Petition - filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to open the chamber of Panjalingam (five lingas) and resume the Abishegam and other rituals as per agama tradition and further, directing the respondents to facilitate the devotees to offer prayers and worship the Panjalingams (five lingas) based on the representation dated 22.08.2025. 1/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 For Petitioner : Mr.T.Bashyam For R1 : Mr.J.Ashok Additional Government Pleader For R2 : Mr.M.Muthu Geethaiyan ORDER (Order of the Court was made by DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J.) This writ petition is filed in public interest seeking a mandamus directing the respondents being the Commissioner of HR & CE Department/R1 and the Executive Officer of Arulmigu Subramaniar Swami Temple, Tiruchendur/R2 to open the chamber of Panjalinga Moorthis and resume the Abishegam and other rituals as per agama and also facilitate the devotees to offer prayers and worship to the Panjalingam Moorthis based on the representation dated 22.08.2025. 2.Earlier representations have been made by the petitioner to similar effect and since no orders have been passed, the petitioner has approached this Court. 3.Counter affidavit has been filed by R2, wherein they set out the procedure that is followed for offering pooja to the Panjalinga Moorthis. They state that there is neither Nithya Padi Pooja nor 2/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 Abishegam performed to the Panjalinga Moorthis. However, and every day, both morning and evening, the Thiruvilakku installed near the Panjalinga Moorthis is lit by the authorised person. They confirm that there are no agamas, specific to the conduct of poojas for the Panjalinga Moorthis. 4.R2 confirms at para 5 of the counter that the worship of Panjalinga Moorthis was very much permitted when the crowd was less than around 30,000 or fewer. Since the Panjalinga Moorthis are housed behind the sanctum sanctorum of the Moolavar, the approach is very narrow, akin to a cave and the air circulation is also very low. Hence, taking into consideration the safety of the devotees and security measures in general, R2 has decided that it is not feasible for senior citizens and those who are not in prime health to worship the Panjalinga Moorthis. 5.After the performance of the Kumbabishekam on 07.07.2025, as the worship of the main deity has increased up to 60,000 persons and even up to one lakh on days, worship of Panjalinga Moorthis deities has been restricted. R2 confirms at para 5 that, as and when the crowd is less in number, R2 will at his discretion permit and allow the worship of 3/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 Panjalinga Moorthis as well. 6.We have considered the contentions of both learned counsel. 7. Tiruchendur is a hallowed temple of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu. Apart from shrines for several deities, the temple contains a shrine for Panchalingams (five lingams) believed to have been established by Lord Muruga himself, that he had offered worship to after the heroic battle with Soorapadman from which he had emerged victorious. 8.While it is stated in the writ affidavit that Abishegams used to be performed on the Panchalingams, the respondents have clarified that being Panchalingams installed and worshipped by Lord Muruga himself, no Nithyapadi pujas or Abishegams are performed although the lamp is lit in that chamber twice a day, morning and evening. We record the aforesaid practice followed in the temple in this regard. 9.Coming to the question of public worship of the Panchalingams, we appreciate the efforts of the petitioner to ensure that the access to the Panjalinga Moorthis of this shrine is available to the general public. However, we cannot brush away the concerns that have been put forth by R2, as we believe that they are legitimate, and crowd 4/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 control and safety and security of the public, are matters that must remain with R2. 10.We have taken note of the statements in the counter to the effect that, at their discretion, the authorities will permit worship of the Panjalinga Moorthis as and when they are in a position to control the overall crowd. We believe that this should suffice to assuage the apprehensions put forth by the petitioner, as R2 has made it clear that there is no categoric decision to keep away the devotees from worship of Panjalinga Moorthis, but such worship will be permitted when the times are right, and crowds are manageable. 11.For the efforts taken by the petitioner, let R2 be shown a darshan of the Panjalinga Moorthis, on any appropriate day when he approaches R2. With this, this writ petition stands closed. No costs. [A.S.M.J.,] [C.K.J.,] 22.09.2025 Index :Yes/No NCC :Yes/No ta 5/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 DR.ANITA SUMANTH, J. AND C.KUMARAPPAN, J. ta To 1.The Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, No.119, Nungambakkam Hihgway, Chennai. 2.The Executive Officer, Arulmigu Subramaniar Swami Temple, Tiruchendur, Tuticorin District. W.P.(MD)No.24072 of 2025 22.09.2025 6/6 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis