THAKAR KANAIYALAL RASIKLAL Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In both these petitions and connected civil applications common questions are raised by the respective petitioners asserting their right to perform puja as popularly known as "Bhattaji Pujari" at the temple of Arasuri Ambaji(popularly known as Ambaji temple) situated at Ambaji, taluka Danta, Dist.Banaskantha, Gujarat State.

(2.) The short facts by way of historical background are that about more than 1000 years back the temple of Arasuri Ambaji Mataji set up during the period of King of Danta State and installation (pratisthapan) of Godess Arasuri Ambaji was made at the said temple during the life of time of said king of Danta with a pious hope that the grace of the Godess may shower upon the king and other worshipers of Ambaji Mataji. It is stated that the King of Danta had given the worship rights to Audichya brahmins of Sidhpur who were well-versed in holly pronunciation of mantras and rituals of vidhi and these brahmins were known as Bhattaji Pujaris. It is stated that because of blessings of Ambaji Mataji there are lacs of people not only from Gujarat but also from neighbouring States of the country as well as from different parts of the country and these people are visiting the temple for offering their pujas and for having darshan of Ambaji Mataji and as a result thereof Ambaji Mataji temple became important from the point of view of religious sentiments as well as from the point of view of its revenue to be distributed for the public at large including the beneficiaries thereof.

(3.) The State Govt wanted to regulate the administration of the temple and also wanted to develop the temple and one of the important placees of Indian culture and therefore a resolution was passed by the State of Gujarat dated 17.3.60 whereby the administration of Ambaji Mataji temple was continued with the State Govt and a scheme was framed for its administration which interalia included clause 39 for appointment of Pujaris. The said Clause 39 of the said scheme provided as under: