Andhra Pradesh High Court Orders Compliance With Directions Of Sringeri Sharada Peetham Barring Priests Who Have Travelled Abroad From Entering Sanctum Sanctorum
The Andhra Pradesh High Court was considering a writ petition seeking strict compliance with directions passed in matters relating to temple rituals and Agama practices.
Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda, Andhra Pradesh High Court
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed strict compliance with the Circular Memo issued by the Endowments Department and the Pramanika dated December 20, 2024 issued by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham barring priests who have travelled abroad or undergone shaving contrary to traditional norms from entering the sanctum sanctorum and participating in the worship of the deity.
The High Court was considering a writ petition filed under Article 226 seeking strict compliance with and implementation of the Circular Memo No.21 Rc.No.D.P/52200/2009 dated November 10, 2010 issued by the Endowments Department and the Pramanika dated December 20, 2024 issued by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Srinqeri Sharada Peetham in matters relating to temple rituals and Agama practices.
The Single Bench of Justice Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda ordered, “Having regard to the submissions made by the learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the respondents and on perusal of the material placed on record, this Court is of the considered view that the present writ petition can be disposed of directing the respondents to follow the guidelines framed under Circular Memo No.21 Rc.No.D.P/52200/2009 dated 10.11.2010 issued by the Endowments Department and the Pramanika dated 20.12.2024 issued by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham.”
K R Srinivas represented the Petitioner, while Government Pleader represented the Respondent.
Factual Background
The petitioner, working as Sri Chakra Navavarana Archana Parayanadhar at Sri Durga MalleswaraSwamyVarla Devastanam, claimed that Bharati Tirtha Mahaswami, the Jagadguru Shakarachary of the Sringeri Sharada Peetham established in the lineage of Adi Shankaracharya, issued Pramanika directions dated December 20, 2024, clarifying the traditional norms governing the worship and the observance of the temple rituals. Pursuant to the said directions, persons who have travelled abroad, persons who have undergone shaving or haircutting contrary to traditional norms and persons who do not adhere to the prescribed spiritual practices are not supposed to enter the sanctum sanctorum and participate in the worship of the deity.
The Petitioner approached the High Court, submitting that though the Commissioner of Endowments issued a circular directing that the temple rituals and religious ceremonies must be performed strictly in accordance with the Agama Shastras, the respondents were not following the same, thereby affecting the sanctity of the temple worship and the rights of the hereditary priests to perform rituals in accordance with Agama traditions.
Decision
On a perusal of the facts of the case, the Bench disposed of the petition by directing the respondents to follow the guidelines framed under Circular Memo No.21 Rc.No.D.P/52200/2009 dated November 10, 2010, issued by the Endowments Department and the Pramanika.
Cause Title: D S S S Subrahmanyam Somayaji v. The State of Andhra Pradesh (Case No.: Writ Petition No.: 8102/2026)