PON. MURUGESAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition, by way of Public Interest Litigation, has been filed for directions on the respondents to allow Dharshan of the Holy Deity from the same point for devotees, who pay entry charges and devotees, who avail of free Dharshan. In paragraph 13, however, it is stated that the petitioner made a representation requesting action to permit all devotees to stand in the same queue, irrespective of whether they have paid any entrance fee or not.

(2.) Temples are maintained inter alia from donations made by devotees and the practice of charging some entry fee for priority darshan from those who can afford to make such payments, is neither arbitrary nor discriminatory. Those devotees, who pay entrance charges may be given some precedence. In temples, such as, Samayapuram Mariyamman Temple, which attracts a large number of devotees, some regulation of darshan may be necessary. It may be open to impose charges and/or fee for quicker entry, shorter queues and special darshan of longer duration and also to have special entrance for such devotees. However, the respondent authorities are to provide darshan of the Deity from the entry point of Arthamandapam, from where the Deity is clearly visible for all devotees, irrespective of whether they pay or they opt for free Dharshan as per the turn in the ordinary queue for the free entry. No person standing in the queue shall be denied darshan from the Arthamandapam.

(3.) With the aforesaid observations, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.