P.M. CHELLAPANDI POOSARI Vs. COMMITTEE OF ADMINISTRATORS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Arulmigu Pandimuneeswarar Temple is situated at Melamadai, Madurai Town and it was declared as a public temple, by the judgment passed by the I Additional Sub Court, Madurai, in A.S.No.1 of 1925. It is a renowned Temple and 1000s of devotees are thronging in the Temple every day and even more in the weekends and special occasions. The exact date of the establishment of the Temple is not clear, however, it is said to be in existence since 1800. From the available records, it can be seen that the Temple was administered by one Pandi Kodangi Poosari and thereafter, by his son, Periyasamy Poosari. Periyasamy Poosari was having two sons, namely, Pandiyan @ Botha Poosari and Periyannan @ Mahamuni Poosari. Periyasamy Poosari died when his sons were at tender age. Therefore, the Temple was administered by one Valliammal W/o.Periyasamy Poosari. Thereafter, the Temple was administered by Pandiyan @ Botha Poosari and Periyannan @ Mahamuni Poosari, the sons of Periyasamy Poosari. Pandiyan @ Botha Poosari had five sons and Periyannan @ Mahamuni Poosari had five wives, through whom, he had six sons. The Temple is now administered by the heirs of Pandiyan @ Botha Poosari and Periyannan @ Mahamuni Poosari and the trusteeship was held by the members of this family.

(2.) The petitioners before this Court are the heirs of Pandiyan @ Botha Poosari and Periyannan @ Mahamuni Poosari and they have filed these writ petitions claiming right of hereditaryship and poojariship of Arulmigu Pandimuneeswarar Temple, Madurai and the consequent shares in the Plate Collections and Hundial Collections.

(3.) Since all the writ petitions pertain to the affairs of Arulmigu Pandimuneeswarar Temple, all of them were tagged and heard together.