Few days ago, a government order by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department was issued allowing the devotees to climb the Kanakasabhai Mandapam at the top of which lies the Sri Sabhanayagar (Natarajan) Temple at Chidambaran in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu. This order is now being challenged in the Madras High Court.
A petition has been filed by the Tamil Worshippers Society President, T.R Ramesh, questioning the authority of the government to pass the order. The temple is a denominational temple and has been managed by the Podhu Dikshitars for more than 2,000 years. He claims in the petition that the government does not have a right to interfere in the works of denominational temples.
The Dikshitars, who are among one of the first Saivites of Tamil Nadu, oppose people climbing the Mandampam to have darshan of the deity as the place has been considered a holy area for pujas. Several such petitions have been filed from time to time asking for permission to visit the temple they have all been always rejected.
Written by Disha Hatikakoty , Maitreyi College, University of Delhi Intern under Legal Vidiya.
