B.STALIN Vs. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal.

(2.) According to the petitioner, he is a practising Advocate before this Bench and also one of the devotees of Arulmigu Kallalagar @ Sundarraja Perumal, Alagarkovil, Melur Taluk, Madurai District, which is one of 108 Vaishnava Divya Desams and also an ancient, revered and famous temple. The petitioner would further aver that "Chithirai Maha Urchavam" and "Aadi Bramorchavam" are the major festivals celebrated in the full moon day in the Tamil Month of Chithirai and Aadi Bramorchavam respectively in every year and very many devotees used to throng in the temple to have worship and get the blessings of the Almighty. It is pointed out by the petitioner that during the famous Chithirai festival, the idol of Lord/God Kallalagar would be brought to various places in Madurai and on account of prevailing pandemic COVID-19 virus, the said festival was celebrated well within the temple precinct.

(3.) The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that in Aadi Bramorchavam, the temple car with Lord Kallalagar used to be taken around and would be witnessed by lakhs and lakhs of devotees and in the light of the present situation, it may not happen and in that event, the sentiments of devotees, like the petitioner, would be affected and it would also aggravate the State as a whole.