Andhra Pradesh High Court: While considering a writ petition filed under Article 226 seeking strict compliance with and implementation of the circular memo dated 10 November 2010 issued by the Endowments Department (circular memo) and the pramanika dated 20 December 2024 issued by the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham (pramanika) in matters relating to temple rituals and Agama practices, the Single Judge Bench of Venkateswarlu Nimmagadda, J., directed compliance with the circular memo and the pramanika barring priests who have travelled abroad or undergone shaving contrary to traditional norms from entering the sanctum sanctorum and participating in the worship of the deity.
The petitioner, working as a Sri Chakra Navavarana Archana Parayanadhar at the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, alleged non-compliance with traditional temple practices and ritual norms. He stated that the hereditary archakas who traditionally perform the worship of the deity are required to perform strict spiritual discipline including Trikala Sandhyavandanam, Guru-Upadesha Mantra Japa, adherence to Vedic study and maintenance of ritual purity in food habits, conduct and personal discipline. Only such qualified hereditary priests are entitled to enter the sanctum sanctorum and perform the worship of the presiding deity. He submitted that the pramanika directions clarify that individuals who had travelled abroad, violated customary grooming practices, or failed to observe prescribed spiritual disciplines should not enter the sanctum sanctorum or participate in worship.
The petitioner contended that despite a circular memo issued by the Commissioner of Endowments mandating strict adherence to Agama Shastras, the temple authorities were not following these norms, thereby compromising the sanctity of worship and infringing upon the rights of hereditary priests to perform rituals in accordance with tradition.
The respondents agreed to comply with the circular and the pramanika. Accordingly, the Court directed the respondents to adhere to the guidelines set out in circular memo along with the pramanika directions, thereby ensuring that temple rituals are conducted in conformity with both administrative regulations and established religious practices.
[DSSS Subrahmanyam Somayaji v. State of A.P., WP No. 8102 of 2026, decided on 30-3-2026]
Advocates who appeared in this case:
For the Petitioner: K. R. Srinivas Advocate.
For the Respondent: Government Pleader for Endowments Department