The Madras High Court has directed the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department and the police to ensure the uninterrupted conduct of the Thaipusam and Chithirai chariot festivals at the Ukkadam Sangameshwarar Temple in Coimbatore every year. The festivals, which had been suspended since the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts, were the subject of a legal petition seeking their restoration.
The petition was filed by Muthuganesan, Coimbatore District General Secretary of the Hindu Temples Protection Movement, who highlighted that the chariot processions had been a tradition at the temple for over 300 years before being halted in 1998. He stated that attempts to revive the processions last year were denied due to the parliamentary elections and urged the court to ensure their regular conduct.
A bench comprising Chief Justice K.R. Sriram and Justice Mohammed Shafiq heard the case. Advocate B. Jagannath, representing the petitioner, pointed out that the temple, which dates back to the 10th century and was renovated by the Parantaka Cholas and Kongu Cholas, had successfully conducted the Thaipusam chariot festival in February following the petition. He requested a similar directive for the Chithirai chariot festival.
Special Government Pleader N.R.R. Arun Natarajan, representing the Charities Department, informed the court that the festival had been suspended between 2021 and 2024 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, temple renovations, and consecration ceremonies. He assured that, just as the Thaipusam festival was held on 11 February 2025, the Chithirai chariot festival would take place as planned on 10 May 2025.
The police acknowledged that Ukkadam is a sensitive area but confirmed that permission for the Chithirai festival would be granted with the necessary conditions.
After hearing all arguments, the court ordered the authorities to conduct both chariot festivals annually without any hindrance, thereby closing the case.
(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)
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