The Madras High Court directed police protection for the Thenur Mandagapadi scheduled on May 2, 2026, while clarifying that the order does not declare any individual hereditary right.
Madras HC On Thenur Mandagapadi
Madras High Court Orders Police Protection
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed police authorities to provide adequate and effective protection for the Thenur Mandagapadi.
The event forms part of the Chithirai Festival and is scheduled for May 2, 2026.
Justice L. Victoria Gowri passed the order on April 29, 2026, in M. Sonaimuthu v. The Commissioner of Police, Madurai City & Ors.
Petitioner Sought Protection For Temple Officials
M. Sonaimuthu filed the writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution.
He sought a direction to police authorities to protect the Joint Commissioner and Executive Officer of Arulmigu Kallazhagar Temple.
He also sought protection to ensure that temple authorities could confer customary honours on the Thenur village representatives without obstruction.
Petitioner Claims Traditional Role
The petitioner claimed that he represents Thenur village.
He said he had approached the Court for the cause of the seven hereditary Karikaarars of Thenur.
According to him, the Thenur Mandagapadi at Vandiyur in the Vaigai riverbed forms an inseparable part of the annual Chithirai Festival connected with Kallazhagar Temple.
Customary Honours Claimed
The petitioner submitted that, for several centuries, temple authorities had conferred ceremonial honours on the seven Karikaarars.
These honours included parivattam and other traditional Maryadhai.
He said the practice recognised the historic and customary role of Thenur village in the festival.
Reliance Placed On Earlier High Court Order
The petitioner relied on an earlier order dated April 20, 2024, passed in W.P.(MD) No.9494 of 2024.
In that order, the High Court had permitted continuation of the festival and customary practices as followed in previous years.
The petitioner said he was the eighth respondent in those proceedings.
He also submitted that the earlier order had attained finality and bound all concerned parties.
Apprehension Of Obstruction Raised
The petitioner alleged that some individuals had obstructed the temple authorities during the previous year’s festival.
He specifically referred to Rajakumar and his associates.
According to the petitioner, they had prevented temple officials, including the Deputy Commissioner, from conferring customary honours on the Thenur representatives.
He apprehended that the same persons may interfere again during the forthcoming festival.
Representation Sent To Authorities
The petitioner submitted that he sent a representation on April 20, 2026.
He requested preventive police protection for peaceful conduct of the festival.
He also sought protection for the conferment of customary honours.
Since the authorities allegedly took no effective action, he approached the High Court.
Petitioner Explains Festival Significance
Senior counsel for the petitioner submitted that the Thenur Mandagapadi takes place at the Thenur Mandapam in the middle of the Vaigai riverbed.
He said the ritual has unique significance.
According to the petitioner, it is the only Mandagapadi where Lord Kallazhagar traditionally pays money and visits the Mandapam.
The petitioner stated that the honour originally consisted of 20 gold coins. Later, it changed to 20 silver coins. At present, it consists of ₹200, along with coconut and fruits.
Seven Karikaarars Identified By Titles
The petitioner submitted that the seven Thenur Karikaarars receive customary honours through traditional titles, not as private individuals.
The titles mentioned were:
Munsif Karikaarar, Kanakkapillai Karikaarar, Sethuramalinga Pillai Karikaarar, Nattamai Karikaarar, Ottadukku Karikaarar, Maniakarar Karikaarar and Servai Karikaarar.
Government Says It Has No Objection
The Government Advocate submitted that the official respondents had no objection to the peaceful performance of the Thenur Mandagapadi.
However, he said authorities must also maintain law and order during the Chithirai Festival.
He submitted that nearly five lakh devotees may attend the Alagar festival.
He added that even the concluding portions of the festival may see participation of about three lakh persons.
Focused Police Protection Sought
The Government Advocate said police personnel usually remain deployed as part of general festival bandobust.
However, he acknowledged that an incident had occurred last year over the honours claimed by the Karikaarars.
Therefore, he submitted that the Court may consider focused protection at the Thenur Mandapam.
At the same time, he said deployment of 100 additional police personnel exclusively for the Mandapam may not be practically possible.
Temple Says It Cannot Decide Rival Claims
Counsel for the temple submitted that the temple authorities must conduct the festival peacefully and according to established usage.
However, the temple said it cannot decide disputed hereditary or customary rights between rival individuals or groups.
It submitted that, if an admitted custom exists, the temple will conduct the ritual in the usual manner.
Court Frames The Issue
The Court considered the earlier Division Bench order in W.P.(MD) No.9494 of 2024.
It also considered the antiquity of the Thenur Mandagapadi and the apprehension of obstruction during the Chithirai Festival.
The Court examined whether police protection was necessary to maintain law and order during the event.
Court Notes Cultural Importance
The High Court observed that the Chithirai Festival of Madurai is “not a festival of one denomination alone”.
It described the event as “a public festival of history, faith, culture and common participation.”
The Court also noted the deep public reverence attached to Lord Kallazhagar’s entry into the Vaigai, the association with Manduka Maharishi, and the Thenur Mandagapadi.
Court Protects Existing Custom
The Court said it need not decide all historical claims with the precision of a civil trial.
It noted that the custom was not a newly invented assertion.
The Court also found that the practice had already received recognition in earlier proceedings before the High Court.
Police Cannot Decide Hereditary Rights
Justice Gowri clarified that the temple administration must perform the Thenur Mandagapadi in the usual manner.
The ritual must take place according to established custom and practice.
However, it will remain subject to orders passed, or to be passed, in W.P.(MD) No.9494 of 2024.
The Court also held that police authorities cannot decide hereditary rights.
It said police cannot replace the temple administration or village custom.
“Devotion Cannot Descend Into Disturbance”
The Court observed that the Chithirai Festival represents the composite culture of Madurai.
It said no person or group can create disorder in the name of rivalry, sentiment or assertion.
“Devotion cannot be allowed to descend into disturbance. Custom cannot be allowed to be converted into conflict,” the Court observed.
Writ Petition Allowed
The Court held that the petitioner sought preventive, regulatory and protective relief.
It considered the earlier Division Bench order, the temple report, the importance of the festival and the urgency of the event.
It also took note of the fair stand of the official respondents.
Accordingly, the Court allowed the writ petition.
Directions Issued To Police
The Court directed the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, and the Inspector of Police, Anna Nagar Police Station, to provide adequate and effective police protection.
The protection must ensure peaceful conduct of the Thenur Mandagapadi.
The Court also directed police to ensure that the Joint Commissioner and Executive Officer of Arulmigu Kallazhagar Temple can discharge official duties peacefully and without obstruction.
Customary Honours Permitted
The Court directed that customary honours, including Maryadhai, payment of Mandagapadi fees by the Lord, and allied ceremonial observances, may be conferred on the seven traditional Thenur Karikaarars.
The honours must be given by their traditional titles and in accordance with established practice.
No Declaration Of Individual Right
The Court clarified that its order does not declare any individual hereditary right in favour of any private person.
It also said the order will not prejudice the rights of parties in pending proceedings, including W.P.(MD) No.9494 of 2024.
Final Directions
The High Court directed police to prevent obstruction, intimidation, crowd disturbance and unlawful interference by any third party during the Thenur Mandagapadi.
It also directed the competent police authority to deploy adequate personnel.
The authority must consider the sensitivity of the ritual, the expected crowd and the alleged disturbance during the previous year.
.
