WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page1 of 9 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 06-08-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE KRISHNAN RAMASAMY WP No. 30513 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 33506 OF 2026 1. Shanmugam Udayar S/o. Nataraja Udayar, (Representative of Malaiyaman Community) Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 2. Ramasamy Nainar, S/o. Kaliyaperumal Nainar, Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 3. Paramasivam Nainar S/o. Appadurai, (Representatives of Nainar Community) Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 4. Rajagopal yadav S/o. Sengamalai Yadav (Representative of Yadav Community) Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 5. Annadurai Padayachi S/o. Jayaraman Padayachi, (Representative of Vanniyar Community) Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 6. Venugopal Chetty https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page2 of 9 S/o. Raman Chetty, (Representative of Man Ottar Community) Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 7. Manikandan Aachari S/o. Saravanan Aachari Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 8. Deivasigamani Aachari S/o. Subburayan Aachari, (Representative of Vishwakarma Community) Avatty Village, Tittakudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1. District Collector, 1st Floor New Collectorate Building, Collectorate, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore -607 001 2. Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), 1st Floor, New Collectorate Building, Collectorate, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore -607 001 3. Tahsildar Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 4. Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, 119, Uthamagar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034 5. Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Government Office, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page3 of 9 6. Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Government Office, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. 7. Village Administrative Office (VAO) Avatti Village, Tittaguidi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 8. Inspector of Police Ramanatham Police Station, Tittaguidi Taluk, Cuddalore District. ..Respondent(s) Prayer: writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the 3rd Respondent to grant permission to take procession through customary route during Aadi Pathinettu, Avani Uriyadi as well as on all festival days of the temple by name Arulmigu Varadaraja Perumal Thirukoil and Amman, Murugan and Ayyanar Temple within its precincts, Avatti Village, Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District and consequently grant police protection on the festivals and pass For Petitioner(s): Mr.G.Surya Narayanan For Respondent(s): Mr.P.Elayaraj Kumar, Special Government Pleader for R1 to 3 and 7 Mr.V.Chandraprabu, Special Government Pleader (HR and CE) for R4 to R6 Mr.Durai Gunasekaran, Government Counsel (Crl.Side) for R8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page4 of 9 Order This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the third respondent to grant permission to conduct the temple car and deity procession through the customary route during the Aadi Pathinettu and Avani Uriyadi festivals, as well as on all other festival days of the temple, namely Arulmigu Varadaraja Perumal Thirukoil. 2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submitted that the petitioners belong to the communities that have traditionally carried out, coordinated, and managed the procession activities of the said temple. Unexpectedly, a group of residents from North Street—a route through which the procession has historically never been taken—approached this Court by way of a writ petition, W.P. No. 27817 of 2026, filed by one Karuppaiah. That petition sought directions to allow the deity's procession through the North Street of the village during the devotional events scheduled for 17.07.2026. Consequently, the first respondent convened a Peace Committee Meeting, wherein it was mutually agreed to confine the procession within the temple premises exclusively for the festival held on 17.07.2026. Although that specific festival has concluded, the petitioners have approached this Court to ensure that for all future festivals, including Aadi Pathinettu and Avani Uriyadi, the procession is permitted to proceed strictly through its customary route. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page5 of 9 3. Conversely, the learned Special Government Pleader (HR & CE), accepting notice on behalf of respondents 4 to 6, submitted that the devotional event on 17.07.2026 was conducted peacefully in accordance with the resolutions passed at the Peace Committee Meeting. He further contended that to avoid any untoward law and order incidents between the grouups, the same resolution should be adopted for all future festivals. 4. Heard the learned counsel on both sides and perused the materials available on record. 5. The petitioners herein represent eight communities who have jointly submitted a representation to the authorities to ensure that temple processions follow the long-standing, customary route for all festivals. It is a settled principle that when a traditional temple car or deity procession route has been established over generations, it cannot be altered abruptly. Simply because a specific group demands a deviation during festival times, and conducting compromise through Peace Committee Meeting, such ad-hoc arrangements cannot become a permanent precedent to alter established customs. If multiple groups approach the authorities with their demands to route the procession through their respective streets, it would be impossible to satisfy everyone, as a temple car cannot be driven through every street. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page6 of 9 6. When a dispute arises regarding a procession, the statutory and administrative duty of the officials is to ensure that the ritual is carried out strictly through its historically customary route. Conducting Peace Committee Meetings that deviate from established religious customs to compromise temporary agitators serves no useful purpose and disrupts long-standing traditions. In the event of any law and order obstruction along the customary route, the administrative authorities must act firmly and provide adequate police protection rather than altering the route. 7. Therefore, this Court directs the respondents concerned to ensure that the temple car and deity processions of Arulmigu Varadaraja Perumal Thirukoil are invariably conducted through the customary and traditional route, irrespective of any ongoing disputes between local groups. However, it is made clear that if there is a unanimous and mutual agreement between all the groups in the village, the authorities are at liberty to permit the procession through such a mutually accepted route. In the absence of an absolute consensus, the traditional ritual must strictly adhere to the customary route alone. The jurisdictional police are directed to provide adequate protection to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents during the festivals. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page7 of 9 8. Accordingly, this Writ Petition stands disposed of with the directions as noted above. No costs. Consequently, connected W.M.P. No. 33506 of 2026 is ordered, subject to the payment of the requisite separate Court Fee. 06-08-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No SK Note: Issue order copy tomorrow (07.08.2026) To 1. District Collector, 1st Floor New Collectorate Building, Collectorate, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore -607 001 2. Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), 1st Floor, New Collectorate Building, Collectorate, Manjakuppam, Cuddalore -607 001 3. Tahsildar Tittagudi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 4. Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, 119, Uthamagar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600 034 5. Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Government Office, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. 6. Assistant Commissioner Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, Government Office, Cuddalore, Tamilnadu. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page8 of 9 7. Village Administrative Office (VAO) Avatti Village, Tittaguidi Taluk, Cuddalore District. 8. Inspector of Police Ramanatham Police Station, Tittaguidi Taluk, Cuddalore District. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis WP No. 30513 of 2026 __________ Page9 of 9 KRISHNAN RAMASAMY J. sk WP No. 30513 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 33506 OF 2026 06-08-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis