SRIMAD REVENKA PEETHADHISHWARA Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Rule Nisi

(2.) The petitioner is Peethadhipathi of Revanka Peetham, Padmaraonagar, Secunderabad. He questions the action of respondents in deciding to celebrate the Srirama Navami festival and Sri Sitarama Kalyanotsavam at Bhadrachalam temple on 13th April, 2000. According to him the decision to celebrate the festival is taken by the respondents against the opinion of the religious heads and Peethadipathis. It is further argued that the respondents have no power under any law to interfere in the religious affairs of any community. It is further stated that, as per the panchangas and other shastras, Srirama Navami would fall this year on 12th April, 2000. The State Governments and Central Government had declared 12th April, 2000 as public holiday for celebrating Srirama Navami festival. Even the State Government of Andhra Pradesh had declared 12th April, 2000 as holiday but now it has been changed to 13th April, 2000.

(3.) When this petition came up for hearing on 4th April, 2000 this Court directed the learned Additional Advocate General to appear on behalf of the respondents. Although no counter has been filed but the learned Additional Advocate General argued the matter and records were also produced before the Court. This Court is of the view that whether a festival has to be celebrated on 12th April, 2000 or 13th April, 2000 is a matter which neither concerns this Court nor the State Government. It is religious function which has to be held in accordance with the discipline the different religious institutions have. The learned Additional Advocate General submits mat, Sthanacharya, Purohit and the Priest of the Devasthanam had by a letter dated 3rd February, 2000 stated that Srirama Kalyanam has to be performed only on 13th April, 2000 and not on 12th April, 2000 as per the Pancharatra Agama text relevant to the temple, therefore, acting on this opinion the Government only recognized the fact that the festival is being organised on 13th April, 2000 and not on 12th April, 2000 and in reference to the wishes of the people 13th April, 2000 was declared a public holiday, and it is left to the people and to the religious institutions including the Bhadrachalam Devasthanam to celebrate the festival on the dates they have chosen. He relies on a Division Bench Judgment of this Court in Writ Petition No. 5617 of 1999 which is also relied upon by the petitioners. It appears that, last year also the original date fixed was changed and a writ petition was filed, that writ petition was taken up by the Division Bench and the Division Bench while dismissing the writ petition held: