‘No private programmes in Thanjavur temple’

A public interest litigation petition filed by N Venkatesh of Thanjavur came up for hearing before a division bench of Justices KK Sasidharan and PD Audikesavalu.

The petitioner sought cancellation of permission for a spiritual discourse programme claiming that the Sri Sri Ravishankar’s Art of Living Foundation which made temporary arrangements for organising meditation event on December 7 and 8.

Further, the petitioner claimed that it was a violation by the foundation, a private party, to organise the meditation in the traditional temple, which has got its own history of existence in over a period of thousand years, and is a UNESCO heritage site. The petitioner claimed that if such a programme was conducted, it would affect devotees.

Hence, the petitioner sought the bench to impose stay on any such proceedings in the historic temple.

On hearing the petition, the bench stated that since the age-old temple has got a rich tradition of archaeological heritage, it is necessary to preserve its historic value and therefore, only religious and spiritual programmes should be allowed to take place in the Big Temple.

The officials concerned should also ensure this happens, the bench said.