K CHANDRAN Vs. TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Original Petition has been filed to issue a writ in the nature of certiorari or any other appropriate writ, direction or order calling for the records leading to proceedings No. ROC 1943/01/L dated 18.6.2002 issued by the first respondent and quashing the same and for other reliefs. The case of the petitioner is as follows:

(2.) The petitioner is a devotee of Kazhakoottam Kulangara Sree Krishna Swamy Temple. It is a public religious worship and the same is a minor Devaswom under the control and administration of the Travancore Devaswom Board. The same is a Temple of ancient origin and the Hindus of the locality worship the presiding deity namely Lord Sree Krishna.

(3.) As part of the said Temple there is a pond with three kadavu. They are respectively, the Santhi Kadavu, Kottara Kadavu and Naga Kadavu. Conceptually, this pond was dug during the reign of his Highness the Marthanda Varma Maharaja and dedicated to the deity to commemorate the fleeing of Ettu Veettil Pillamar of whom Kazhakootathu Pilla was a resident of the locality. The devotees bath in the Temple pond before proceeding to the Temple for Darshan. The said pond, traditionally called Poothakulam, by passage of time, is being colloquially called Puthukulam .