The Azhakiyakavu Bhagawathi temple is an ancient temple which is now under the control of Cochin Devaswom Board. The Rulers of the Sovereign of Cochin has earmarked an extent of 9.41 ½ acres of land in survey no. 613/1,613/2,613/3,663/1,663/2 and 661/1 of Rameshwaram village for this temple. Since then the property belongs to the deity of Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple. In the settlement register the property in survey no. 613/1,613/2 and 613/3 are recorded as temple property and Velavelipparambu. This Velavilipparambu is attached to the temple and it is being used from immemorial for the purpose of conducting rituals relating to the temple festival and it is in such circumstances it is described as Velavelipparambu.
W.P.(c)No.18492/2020 –DISPOSED
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR .
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
This case is filed by the Secretary of Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple Land Protection Committee, seeking directions to grant adequate police protection to the said Committee, the temple authorities and devotees to protect the temple compound of Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple having an extent of 9.41½ Acres comprised in Survey Nos.613/1, 613/2, 613/3, 663/1, 663/2, and 661/1 of Rameshwaram Village, including the temple and for its maintenance, the construction of compound wall, the closing of the gate on the eastern side of the temple property and erection of stone lamp preventing entry of vehicles into the temple property, from the illegalities of respondents and their men.The case was disposed with direction that the order of status quo granted by this Court as above will not stand in the way of the Devaswom Officer, Azhakiyakavu Devaswom in reconstructing the damaged compound wall on the very same foundation, after obtaining necessary building permit from Kochi Municipal Corporation. The Station House Officer, Palluruthi Police Station shall ensure that the order of status quo granted as above is complied with in letter and spirit, by all concerned, and that there is no law and order issues while the Devaswom Officer, Azhakiyakavu Devaswom reconstructing the compound wall on the strength of the building permit granted by Kochi Municipal Corporation.
The Azhakiyakavu Bhagawathi temple is an ancient temple which is now under the control of Cochin Devaswom Board. The Rulers of the Sovereign of Cochin has earmarked an extent of 9.41 ½ acres of land in survey no. 613/1,613/2,613/3,663/1,663/2 and 661/1 of Rameshwaram village for this temple. Since then the property belongs to the deity of Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple. In the settlement register the property in survey no. 613/1,613/2 and 613/3 are recorded as temple property and Velavelipparambu. This Velavilipparambu is attached to the temple and it is being used from immemorial for the purpose of conducting rituals relating to the temple festival and it is in such circumstances it is described as Velavelipparambu.
W.P.(c)No.6753/2020 –DISPOSED
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR .
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
This case is filed by the Azhakiyakavu Temple Land Protection Committee, represented by its Secretary, order dated 30.12.2019 of the Sub Collector (Revenue Divisional Officer) and to consider E application dated 26.08.2019, before passing an order on application made by the Travancore Devaswom Board, and an order directing the 3rd respondent to strictly comply with Ext.P5 order of this Court dated 27.08.2019 in DBP No.54 of 2019. The case was disposed directing the Sub Collector, Fort Kochi,to reconsider the application made correct the entries in the revenue records relating to the property having an extent of 9.41½ Acres of land comprised in Sy.Nos.613/1, 613/2, 613/3, 663/2, 661/1 and 1499 in Rameshwaram Village, Thanathu Register of Cochin Devaswom Board, strictly in accordance with law, taking note of the legal and factual contentions raised by both sides and also the law on the point. The affected parties shall be afforded with a reasonable opportunity to substantiate their contentions by producing relevant documents and they shall also be afforded with a reasonable opportunity of being heard within a period of four months. The order of status quo granted shall be maintained till the disposal of the said application Sub Collector.
The Azhakiyakavu Bhagawathi temple is an ancient temple which is now under the control of Cochin Devaswom Board. The Rulers of the Sovereign of Cochin has earmarked an extent of 9.41 ½ acres of land in survey no. 613/1,613/2,613/3,663/1,663/2 and 661/1 of Rameshwaram village for this temple. Since then the property belongs to the deity of Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple. In the settlement register the property in survey no. 613/1,613/2 and 613/3 are recorded as temple property and Velavelipparambu. This Velavilipparambu is attached to the temple and it is being used from immemorial for the purpose of conducting rituals relating to the temple festival and it is in such circumstances it is described as Velavelipparambu.
W.P.(c)No. 13965/2020 –DISPOSED
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE P.G. AJITHKUMAR .
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
The case was filed by a devotee seeking relief of a direction to protect 9.41 ½ acres of land in survey no. 613/1,613/2,613/3,663/1,663/2 and 661/1 of Rameshwaram village and maintain the same by evicting all encroachers as Devaswom property belonging to Azhakiyakavu Devi Temple and take such appropriate steps to secure the above said property by protecting it from encroachers and to take adequate step to ensure that above said property 9.41 ½ acres of land in survey no. 613/1,613/2,613/3,663/1,663/2 and 661/1 of Rameshwaram village is exclusively being used for temple purposes alone.
Panchalimedu is situated near Mundakkayam which is a hill considered as one of the 18 hills that is related to Sabarimala and part of ‘Poonkavanam’ of Lord Ayyappa. The place has received its present name namely Panchalimedu because it is believed that in Dwapara Yuga
Pancha Pandavas along with Panchali have stayed in a cave that exist of this hill for a period of one year as part of their 14 years of exile and Vanavasa. There are several idols situated in this area which are believed to be the deities installed by Pancha Pandavas for their worship. The deity of Shree Bhuvaneswari was the main deity and the reminiscence of old temple was also there in that area. Thereafter a temple was constructed for Lord Bhuvaneswari and this Panchalimedu which includes a huge tank which believed to be the tank in which Panchali used to take bath is considered as the ‘Moolasthanam’ of Valliyankavu Devi Temple which is situated about 20 kilometres away from Panchalimedu. As per the revenue records, the property having an extent of 269 acres situated in survey No. 8/11 of Peruvanthanam Village in Peerumedu Taluk belonged to Vancvhipuzha Madom. In a portion of this property there is a place where Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu can be viewed and every year thousands of devotees throng to Panchalimedu for having darshan of Makarajyothi. The Government as well as the Panchayath and Devaswom also spent money for the purpose of fecilitating the darshan of Makarajyothi from Panchalimedu annually
W.P.(c)No. 18497/2019 -PENDING
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
The property having an extent of 269 acres originally belongs to Vanchipuzha Madom and ultimately has become the Revenue land which situated in Survey No. 811 of Peruvanthanam Village a part of this property having an extent of 22 acres belongs to Shree Bhuvaneswari Devi Temple. The reminiscence of the temple and the deities exist there at Panchalimedu from time immemorial and it is believed that those deities were installed by Pancha Pandavas during Dwapara Yuga and experts can very well analyse and ascertain the age of those structures and the deities that exist in Panchalimedu. The deities and the reminiscence of the temple that exit at Panchalimedu is spread covering almost an area of around 22 acres. The case was filed seeking relief of direction to remove all the 17 crosses and the Arch put up at Panchalimedu in the Devaswom property which is situated is survey No. 811 and 814 of Peruvanthanam Village and to take adequate steps to protect the temple site at Panchalimed including the deities and structures that exist at Panchalimed. On 11.04.2023 it was directed by the Court to remove all the erected cross from the site.
Panchalimedu is situated near Mundakkayam which is a hill considered as one of the 18 hills that is related to Sabarimala and part of ‘Poonkavanam’ of Lord Ayyappa. The place has received its present name namely Panchalimedu because it is believed that in Dwapara Yuga
Pancha Pandavas along with Panchali have stayed in a cave that exist of this hill for a period of one year as part of their 14 years of exile and Vanavasa. There are several idols situated in this area which are believed to be the deities installed by Pancha Pandavas for their worship. The deity of Shree Bhuvaneswari was the main deity and the reminiscence of old temple was also there in that area. Thereafter a temple was constructed for Lord Bhuvaneswari and this Panchalimedu which includes a huge tank which believed to be the tank in which Panchali used to take bath is considered as the ‘Moolasthanam’ of Valliyankavu Devi Temple which is situated about 20 kilometres away from Panchalimedu. As per the revenue records, the property having an extent of 269 acres situated in survey No. 8/11 of Peruvanthanam Village in Peerumedu Taluk belonged to Vancvhipuzha Madom. In a portion of this property there is a place where Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu can be viewed and every year thousands of devotees throng to Panchalimedu for having darshan of Makarajyothi. The Government as well as the Panchayath and Devaswom also spent money for the purpose of fecilitating the darshan of Makarajyothi from Panchalimedu annually
CASES
W.P.(c)No.16732/2019 -PENDING
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
some persons on behalf of St. Mary’s Church Kanyankavayal have encroached into Panchalimedu which is the property of the Travancore Devaswom Board and erected 17 crosses. The crosses are made of concrete, iron and wood claiming that it is a part of Mariyan Pilgrimage. They have also erected an Arch at the entry point from the road to this hill claiming that Panchalimedu is Mariyan Pilgrimage Centre. Several complaints were filed by several organisations against this blatant encroachment and the attempt to create communal disharmony. The Village Officer ultimately issued a notice to the Vicar of St. Mary’s Church Kanyankavayal finding that they are responsible for the encroachment directing them to remove all the crosses erected encroaching into the Government land within three days. The Chief Minister intervened and directed the District Collector to interfere in the matter and freeze the order of the Village Officer for the time being. Accordingly crosses are still being maintained at Panchalimedu which is absolutely illegal and utilising this situation some Hindu organisations have started agitation including the erecting “Thrishoolam” in front of one of the crosses.The case was filed seeking relief of direction to remove all the 17 crosses and the Arch put up atPanchalimedu in the Devaswom property which is situated is survey No. 811 and 814 of Peruvanthanam Village and to take adequate steps to protect the temple site at Panchalimed including the deities and structures that exist at Panchalimed. On 11.04.2023 it was directed by the Court to remove all the erected cross from the site.
Sree Lakshmi Varahamoorthy Temple which is situated on the western side of Sree Padmanabhaswami Temple, Thiruvanthapuram and it was a major devaswom in the Valiyachala group even during the regime of Travancore Kings. The temple as well as its properties were handover to the Travancore Devaswom by the then Ruler of Travancore after the independence of India by way of a covenant which was executed the then Ruler of Travancore, the then Ruler of Kochi and the representative of Government of India. The property which is now known as Putherikkandam maithanam and EMS memorial park, is a property having an extent of 0.7713 hectors of land. It was mainly a paddy land which is situated in Sy.Nos. 2800,2804,2811 to 2814, 2817 and 2819 of Thycadu Village. This paddy land was used to cultivate “Putheri” for the purpose of use in Sree Padmanabhaswami temple. The entire land is recorded as a devaswom land belonging to Sreevaraham Devaswom is now in possession of the Government and the Corporation of Thiruvananthapuram.
CASES
W.P.(c)No.8190/2020-PENDING
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
The case is filed for a direction to the Devswom Baord to take appropriate action to evict encrachers and maintain 0.7713 hectors of land situated in Survey nos. 2800,2804,2811 to 2814, 2817 and 2819 of Thycaud Village which belongs to Sreevaraham Devaswom . The 1st petitioner is a registered Charitable Trust instituted for the purpose of protecting preserving and propagating cultural heritage of India and also for spiritual upliftment by maintaining
pilgrim centre etc. The 2nd petitioner is the State Council member of Bharathiya Janantha Party and resident of Sreevaraham in Thruvananthapuram. Members of the 1st petitioner and 2 nd petitioner are devotees of Varahamoorthi of Sreevaraham Temple
Some persons encroached into the Painkulangara Mahavishnu Temple property situated in Kottuvally Village and slowly destroyed the temple physically and has removed the deity from the temple and placed the deity in Peruvaram under the banyan tree of Peruvaram Temple
and that deity is still continuing there without any daily and other poojas. The property having an extent of 2.66 acres situated in Survey Nos. 27/4, 27/5, 28/2, 28/3and 28/4 of Kottuvally Village are recorded as property of Painkulangara Temple which is encroached upon.
CASES
W.P.(c)No.7650/2020-PENDING
BENCH : DIVISION
CORAM : JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN,HONOURABLE,.JUSTICE MURALEE KRISHNA S.
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
The cases is filed seeking relief of cancelling pattayams issued and directions to evict the encroachers 10 from 2.66 acres of property situated in Survey Nos. 27/4,27/5, 28/2, 28/3and 28/4 of Kottuvally Village which belongs to Painkulangara Devaswom and to rconstruct a temple install the deity of Lord Maha Vishnu which is now kept at Peruvarama Mahadeva Temple. The petitioner Kerala Kshethra Samrakshana Samithi is a Hindu organization for the protection and upkeep of the temples in Kerala and the 2nd petitioner is an office bearer of Kerala Kshethra Samrakshana Samithi.
HISTORY :
The Hanumankavu Temple of Cheriyamundam Devaswom had property having an extent of 22 Cents and in all revenue records the property is recorded as property of Cheriyamundam Devaswom. The Devaswom was paying tax for the above said property till 2003-2004 in spite of the fact that the property was exempted from tax. But, thereafter the authorities have refused to receive tax from the devaswom.
CASE
WPC 5213/2019 –DISPOSED
BENCH : SINGLE
CORAM: JUSTICE ALEXANDER THOMAS
COURT : THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA
The case was disposed with an order that status quo as on today shall be maintained by the authorities as regards the mutation of the subject property until final decision is taken by the 3rd respondent, District collector on the matters in Petition as afore directed. The petitioner is Cheriyamundam Hanumankav Temple Committee