AIR 2008 KERALA 105 ::2008 (3) AIR Kar R 466 ::2008 (1) KerLT 46

Kerala High Court

Hon'ble Judge(s): K. S. Radhakrishnan, T. R. Ramachandran Nair , JJ

Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act (15 of 1950) , S.102— Performing Pooja at request of devotee - Pujari of temple managed and administered by Board cannot directly deal with devotees and receive money for performing Pooja and vazhipadu. The management and administration of Chottanikara Temple is statutorily vested in the Cochin Devaswom Board under the Travancore Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act 1950. Board is obliged to follow a proper system of accounting so that no vazhipadu be conducted in any temple without a proper receipt. Practice of Melsanthies Pujari for that matter anybody in the temple receiving money directly from the devotees performing vazhipadu has to be done away with. Deity be pleased so also the Melsanthi who performs the poojas. Melsanthies cannot however, be permitted to deal with the devotees directly for performing the vazhipadu. Devotees can always give Dakshina to the Melsanthies directly for which there is no restriction. Melsanthi is also entitled to get a "Vihitham" for the Pooja he performs over and above the Dakshina he gets from the devotees. Melsanthi is not expected to directly deal with the devotees for providing vazhipadus like Thakidu, Elas, Charadu etc. Melsanthies have also no right to employ outsiders without the permission of the Board. Board can collect a fee, for performing this vazhipadu, but....