Madras High Court Upholds Thengalai Sect’s Exclusive Ritual Rights

Madras High Court Reaffirms Thengalai Sect’s Exclusive Ritual Authority at Kancheepuram Temple

The Madras High Court has delivered a definitive ruling in the long-running dispute between the Thengalai and Vadagalai sub-sects of the Sri Vaishnava tradition, reaffirming that ritual leadership at the historic Sri Devarajaswamy Temple in Kancheepuram rests solely with the Thengalai sect. The judgment brings clarity to a controversy that has persisted for more than a century.

Historic Dispute Over Ritual Recitations

At the heart of the conflict were rights to recite the Sri Sailesa Dayapatram , the concluding Vazhi Thirunamam , and the revered Nalayira Divya Prabandham during temple ceremonies. Vadagalai devotees argued for equal rights to conduct these ritual invocations and filed multiple petitions challenging the established custom. The bench, however, noted that these recitations form part of inherited denominational practices followed for generations.

Court Reaffirms Validity of Adhyapaka Mirasi Rights

The division bench of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and S. Sounthar held that previous rulings delivered in 1882, 1915, 1939 and 1969 clearly established the exclusive Adhyapaka Mirasi rights of the Thengalai residents of Kancheepuram. These precedents, the court said, remain binding and legally conclusive. Vadagalai followers may participate as worshippers but cannot initiate independent ritual recitations in the temple.

Constitutional Claims Dismissed

Rejecting the argument that historic rulings violate modern fundamental rights, the court emphasised that Article 25 does not permit altering denominational customs of a specific temple. As long as access to worship remains intact, courts cannot compel changes to practices already upheld by judicial scrutiny.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Sri Devarajaswamy Temple: major Sri Vaishnava shrine in Kancheepuram.

• Adhyapaka Mirasi rights: determine ritual leadership and recitation privileges.

• Historic rulings from 1882–1969 upheld Thengalai exclusivity.

• Interim order permitting parallel recitations was set aside.

Directions for Temple Administration

The bench dismissed Vadagalai petitions seeking shared ritual rights and allowed petitions requesting enforcement of earlier rulings. Authorities were instructed to ensure uninterrupted temple rituals strictly in accordance with long-standing customs. The ruling reinforces the principle that denominational traditions, once judicially recognised, must be honoured.