UDAYAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India.

(2.) Sri. A. M. Udayan states that he is a devotee of Mannam Sree Subramanya Swamy Temple. He is a permanent resident of Thathapilly, which is within a four-kilometre radius from the temple. The annual festival of the aforesaid temple is being conducted by the 6th respondent/Managing Committee in the months of January and February 2026. The festival of this year commenced on 23/1/2026 and ended on 1/2/2026.

(3.) The petitioner further states that there is a longstanding practice of conducting the 'kavadi' procession along the PWD public roads, blocking the ingress and egress in Aluva-Paravur Road, Mannam-Peruvaram, Mannam-Thathappilly Road, and the surrounding public streets and spaces in connection with the annual festival of the temple. It is contended that such processions result in the obstruction of ingress and egress, thereby impeding the free movement of residents, particularly the elderly and students, and disrupting the normal course of daily life. Furthermore, the procession purportedly creates a life-threatening hazard by obstructing the passage of emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire engines. It is in this backdrop, the petitioner approached this Court with the following reliefs: