Madurai Bench: Seeks TN Govt Report On Plea For Giving Equal Importance To Tamil, Sanskrit Hymns In Temple

The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on Thursday directed the government of  Tamil Nadu to file a report on whether mantras are recited in Tamil in the temples.

A bench of justices D Krishnakumar and R Vijayakumar issued the directive in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by R Rajendiran of Karur seeking a directive to give equal importance to both Tamil and Sanskrit hymns or mantras during the upcoming consecration ceremony at Palani Dhandayuthapani Swamy temple on January 27.

During the hearing, Additional Advocate General (AAG) Veera Kathiravan contended that such a directive is unnecessary because the government is already taking steps to conduct the ceremony in accordance with agamas, including singing both Tamil and Sanskrit hymns. The bench, however, take note of an earlier order issued by the high court in a similar PIL filed in 2020 in relation to the consecration ceremony of the Pasupatheeswarar temple in Karur.

The government was directed in the said order to form a committee of Tamil scholars and devotees to consolidate significant ancient Tamil hymns and submit a report to the court, the judges noted. Because the AAG stated that the direction is being implemented, the judges requested a status report from the government and adjourned the case for a month.