TIRUCHY: The keys to the Suryanar Koil Mutt, in Kumbakonam, were handed over to the Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam on Wednesday, following the High Court order, putting an end to the controversy concerning the marriage of the mutt's former pontiff to a devotee from Bengaluru, which triggered a series of protests by devotees, resulting in the removal of the pontiff.

Suriyanar Koil Adheenam, which was established in the 14th century and believed to be older than the Tiruvavaduthurai and Dharmapuram Adheenam, was embroiled in controversy after the 28th Adheenam Mahalinga Desiga Pramacharya Swamigal married a woman devotee from Bengaluru in November 2024, triggering a series of protests by the devotees and the residents of the villages adjacent to the Mutt against him. Subsequently, the Adheenam handed over the charges to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department (HR and CE) and left the Mutt.

The HR and CE appointed the Patteeswaram Temple Executive Officer as the administrator of the adheenam and deputed a saivite priest to perform poojas daily. While the temporary arrangement was in place, the ousted pontiff approached the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court to allow him to take hold of the Mutt.

However, citing that the pontiff violated the vow of celibacy, the Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam submitted documents before the court. Subsequently, the court ordered that the keys should be handed over to the Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam as the pontiff had lost his eligibility.

Accordingly, the HR and CE Commissioner Sridhar instructed the Patteeswaram Dhenupureeswarar temple Executive Officer Nirmala Devi to hand over the keys to Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam Srila Sri Ambalavana Desiga Pramacharya Swamigal.

On Wednesday, the keys were handed over to the Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam in the presence of Inspector Aruna. Subsequently, the Tiruvavaduthurai Adheenam General Manager, Manavazhagan and the staff opened the Mutt and verified the articles.