The Andhra Pradesh High Court has resolved concerns over the Agama for Srisailam Temple’s Maha Kumbhabhishekam, confirming that ceremonies from February 16 to 21, 2024, will follow the Veera Saiva Agamam. The decision provides clarity and upholds traditional practices, dismissing uncertainties raised in a recent PIL.
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The Andhra Pradesh High Court has put an end to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed concerning the upcoming Maha Kumbhabhishekam at the renowned Srisailam Temple. The PIL expressed concerns that the Endowments Department might deviate from the traditional Veera Saiva Agamam to the Saiva Agamam during the scheduled ceremonies between February 16, 2024, and February 21, 2024.
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The petitioner, apprehensive of the potential change in ritualistic practices, argued that in the past, the ceremonies at the Srisailam Temple had consistently adhered to the Veera Saiva Agamam. Seeking clarity on the matter, the Andhra Pradesh High Court took up the case.
During the court proceedings, the Government Pleader for Endowments assured the court that the ceremonies planned for the specified dates at the Srisailam Temple would indeed be performed according to the Veera Saiva Agamam, addressing the petitioner’s concerns.
Senior Counsel V. S. R. Anjaneyulu revealed the existence of another petition he had filed on February 12 before a single Judge. This petition sought a mandamus, urging the Endowments Department to conduct the ceremonies based on the Vaidika Smartha Agamam rather than the Veera Saiva Agamam.
The court acknowledged the historical precedent of adopting the Vaidika Smartha Agamam during past Maha Kumbhabhishekams at the Srisailam Temple, as highlighted by Anjaneyulu. However, the Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R. Raghunandan Rao, refrained from expressing a definitive opinion on the matter at this stage, leaving it open for the single Judge to decide which Agamas should be followed.
In the interest of maintaining procedural clarity and respecting the commitment made by the Government Pleader for Endowments regarding the adherence to Veera Saiva Agamam during the upcoming ceremonies, the Bench decided to close the proceedings related to the PIL.
The court’s decision brings assurance to the petitioner and the public regarding the traditional practices that will be followed during the Maha Kumbhabhishekam at the Srisailam Temple.
