Plea against opening of temples at midnight for New Year

The petitioner A Ashvathaman, advocate from Mylapore, has contended that all Hindu temples are constructed under ‘Hindu Aagma Rule’ and the rules clearly stipulate that the temples should be closed around 9 pm every day after solemnising the ‘Arthajama pooja’. Also, as per the rules, the temples should be opened between 4.30 am and 6 am, which is called ‘Bramma Mugartham’.

Further, pointing out that as per ‘Aagamangal’ the ‘Saiva temples’ open only at night on ‘Maha Sivarathiri’ and akin to that ‘Vainava temples’ opens only on ‘Vaigunda Egathesi’, the petitioner submitted that the ‘Aagamangal’ has been evolved based on scientific reasons and the foremost reason for closing the temples during the night is because oxygen supply in the atmosphere is high during the day when compared to the night.

Moreover, even the human metabolism has allotted time for inner organs at night and hence forefathers had advised the closure of temples during the night and insisted sleep and rest, the plea claimed and insisted that greeting and holding celebrations on January 1 is also not in tune with the Indian Vedic system.

Citing an order of the Andhra Pradesh State government, which had banned the opening of temples at mid-night during Western New Year, the petitioner further noted that the plea is not against celebrating ‘Western new year’ in Hindu temples, but the crux was in keeping the Hindu temples open at mid-night, which amounts to violation of Hindu Aagama and Vedic rules as well as violative of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which deal with freedom of religion.

The plea is set to be taken up for hearing by the vacation bench on Thursday.