HC bans annadhanam on Sathuragiri hills, but allows at Forest check post

A petition filed by Muthu Irulappan, an advocate from Perunali, Ramanathapuram district, came up for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices Sathyanarayan and Pugazhendhi. The petitioner stated that earlier annadhanam was offered to devotees round the clock through madams surrounding Sundara Mahalingam and Santhana Mahalingam temples on Sathuragiri hills. However, since such annadhana madams were closed following directive from the authorities of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), private hotels came into existence.

Many devotees were affected as food were sold at high prices, citing these; the petitioner sought the intervention of court to reopen annadhana madams and provide basic facilities such as potable water and hygienic toilets.

Moreover, the petitioner counsel also stressed the need for providing such basic facilities for devotees, who are expected to arrive in the temple in large numbers from various states on the occasion of ‘Aadi Ammavaasai’, which falls on July 31.

Meanwhile, counsel on behalf of State government said efforts were taken in coordination with District Administration, Temple administration and Department of Forests to provide basic facilities such as potable water, food and toilets for devotees.

After hearing, the Bench ordered not to organize annadhanam on the temple premises by any madam or private party on Sathuragiri hills and also ordered the Forest Department to evict any shop without permission from temple administration. This order would be applicable for the ‘Aadi Ammavaasai’ this year alone.