Kochi: In petitions over alleged defects in the Moolavigraha (principal idol) of the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Kerala High Court stressed that spiritual matters of the shrine fall within the authority of the tantri (head priest), who enjoys the status of “father of the deity.”

A division bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha noted that the proceedings could not be treated as adversarial, given the sensitive religious context.

“The assertion on one side is that there are defects to the Moolavigraha of the temple; while on the other, it is stated that they have been rectified, or are in the process of being rectified. We have no doubt that in spiritual matters of the temple, it is the opinion of the tantri which is acme,” the Bench said.

The Court was informed by the Administrative Committee’s standing counsel, R Suraj Kumar, that an Expert Committee had been set up in line with Supreme Court directions. However, the Bench noted that neither its report nor an adequate action-taken statement was available.

Although a note from the Tantri had been placed on record, the judges found it insufficient. “This case would revolve around the opinion and the impressions of the Tantri, more than anybody else,” they observed.

The Bench clarified that while the Administrative Committee may have a role in temporal matters, precedence in spiritual issues must be given to the tantri. “We have no doubt that our interaction in this case will have to be direct with him, which we will do in due course,” it said.

Adjourning the matter to September 11, the Court directed the Administrative Committee to produce the Expert Committee report. “What is relevant is not controversy, but the concerted belief and wishes of the millions of people who have their conscience focused on the idol. The cosmic power generated is beyond description, and it is the responsibility of every generation to ensure that the same is maintained.”
(With LiveLaw inputs)