The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has requested the heads of three religious institutions to select the next pontiff of the Sri Ramanuja Jeeyar Math associated with the Kallazhagar Temple in Madurai. The position has remained vacant for more than 80 years, as reported in The Hindu.
A Division Bench comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and P. Murugan requested Thirukurungudi Jeeyar Swamy, Alwarthirunagari Jeeyar Swamy and Periya Nambigal Swamy to undertake the task of identifying the next Jeeyar.
The Bench observed that the selection could be made by the heads of these institutions and expressed hope that the process would be completed at the earliest. It said, “Since venerable religious personages have been entrusted with this onerous task, we consciously refrain from issuing any time-bound direction. They shall confer amongst themselves either in person or through virtual mode. We express our sincere hope that this process will be fast-tracked and the Kallalagar Temple will have a Jeeyar of eminence at the earliest. Once the choice is made, the department (Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department) will formally issue proceedings recognising the same”.
The Court was hearing a public interest litigation filed by R. Sathyanarayanan of Madurai, seeking directions to the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department to take steps to fill the vacant post of Jeeyar.
The Bench noted that the last Jeeyar was appointed in 1937 and appeared to have disappeared from the scene around 1946. Although the post had remained vacant since then, the Court said the prolonged absence of a successor was no reason to abandon the tradition.
The Court observed that the appointment of a new Jeeyar was necessary to restore a centuries-old custom associated with the temple.
It further pointed out that, under the established tradition, the Jeeyar served as the highest spiritual and administrative authority of the Kallazhagar Temple. Other temple staff, including priests, were answerable to him.
The Jeeyar was also traditionally required to reside within the temple premises, with his maintenance provided from temple funds.
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