Vajivahanam: Thantri Have No Rights Over Temple Properties; Assets Belong to Deity: Kerala HC
Kochi: The Kerala High Court has ruled that metal objects, including Vajivahanams, removed from temples during renovation or replacement of ritual structures cannot be claimed as the personal property of thantri's (Chief Priests). The court observed that properties offered to a deity belong to the deity, and performing religious rituals does not give thantris any ownership rights over such assets.
The ruling was issued by the Devaswom Bench comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and K.V. Jayakumar while dismissing a petition filed by the Akhila Thantri Pracharaka Sabha.
The petitioners had argued that when an old flagstaff (Kodimaram) is replaced, metal objects such as the Vajivahanam installed on it should be handed over to the thantri, either as a gift or under traditional customary rights. They also contended that the Devaswom Board had no authority to prevent this practice, which they claimed was recognised under the traditional text Thantrasamuchayam.
The petition challenged a circular issued by the Devaswom Commissioner in 2012, directing that such metal objects be retained as the property of the Devaswom Board. The Board informed the court that the circular had been issued after considering a representation submitted by the organisation of thantris.
The court clarified that although thantris have authority over ritual and religious matters in temple administration, such authority cannot be extended to ownership, removal or disposal of properties belonging to the deity. It further observed that the responsibility of performing and supervising religious ceremonies must be treated separately from any right to possess or manage the deity's property.