Madurai's Navagraha temple to be inspected

MADURAI: Allegations of ill-maintenance of the famous Navabashanam Navagraha temple in Devipattinam village of Ramanathapuram district has forced the Madras high court Madurai bench to appoint an advocate commissioner to ascertain the prevailing environment atmosphere in the temple site.
The court directed the advocate commissioner to inspect the temple area and file a report on the findings on unhygienic conditions and suggestions, if any, to improve the shrine, on September 1.
Besides, the court, on coming to know that a village panchayat has not allowed the HR&CE-appointed person in administering the Navagraha temple warned the panchayat president and restrained him from intervening in the administration of the shrine.
The village panchayat president should file an undertaking in the form of an affidavit before the court that it (panchayat) would not intervene into the administration of temple, the court said.
The court’s direction came on a public interest litigation (PIL), filed by one J Murugesan of Devipattinam highlighting safety and hygiene concerns on the temple premises. The temple is located in the scenic coastal village of Devipattinam and surrounded by sea water. It is home to the ‘Navagraham’ made of navabhashanam (nine minerals). It attracts locals and tourists in large numbers.
When the PIL came up for hearing before a division bench of justice R Sudhakar and justice V M Velumani, the special government pleader (SGP) B Pugalendi said the temple was earlier under the control of the Ramanathapuram devasthanam. Over the period, the village panchayat took it without knowledge of the devasthanam and the HR&CE, he said.
When it came to the notice of the HR&CE, the department issued a notice to the devasthanam and took over the administration. For that, it also appointed a person in May this year. But, the president of the village panchayat was obstructing the administrator from discharging duties, the SGP said.
Government advocate Aayiram K Selvakumar appeared for the village panchayat assured that it will hereafter not intervene into the temple’s administration and will look after only maintenance of the temple surroundings.
Recording it, the bench wanted the panchayat’s undertaking regarding its assurance and appointed advocate commissioner.