Supreme Court stays Madras HC order to take over Chidambaram temple administration

No. 115 dated 17.05.2022) that permits devotees to climb atop the Kanagasabai Mandapam for darshan at the Sri Sabanayagar Temple in Chidambaram. The core issue is whether this order violates the rights of the Podhu Dikshitars and other petitioners under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.

Who it concerns: Petitioners: Sri Sabanayagar Temple (represented by Secretary, Podhu Dikshitars), T.R. Ramesh, and K. Rajesekhar. Respondents: State of Tamil Nadu (Principal Secretary, Tourism, Culture and Religious Endowments Department), Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, and Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore. Bench: Dr. Justice G. Jayachandran and Justice E. Manoharan of the High Court of Judicature at Madras.

What the court decided

• The Court reserved the matter on 12.10.2026 and pronounced the order on 30.10.2026.
• The order addresses the constitutional validity of G.O. (Status) No. 115 dated 17.05.2022.
• The Court noted that the Tamil Nadu Government constituted the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission via G.O. Ms. No. 76 dated 16.07.2026 after a delay in complying with earlier directions.
• The text provided lists the prayers for quashing the G.O., staying its operation, and restraining interference with temple administration, but does not contain the final operative order granting or denying these reliefs.

Also in the document

• The order is a 'Common Order' covering multiple writ petitions (W.P. Nos. 36022, 20467, and 30365 of 2023) and numerous miscellaneous petitions.
• The Court initiated suo motu proceedings (W.P. No. 574 of 2015) regarding the preservation of heritage structures, leading to directions for the constitution of a Heritage Commission.
• The provided text is truncated and does not state the final decision on the merits of the writ petitions or the specific relief granted/denied.