The Supreme Court ordered that the Udayasthamana pooja be held in accordance with Guruvayur temple practices

A view of the ritual taking place at the Guruvayoor Temple in Guruvayoor. Image is for representational purposes only. | Photo credit: PTI

The Supreme Court on Thursday (October 8, 2026) issued an interim order that the Udayasthamana pooja must be held in accordance with the ancient practices of the famous Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala.

A bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar said the faith and sentiments of the faithful must take precedence over obstruction of proceedings.

The petitioners, led by PC Hary and members of traditional ruling families, represented by senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar, challenged the decision of the Guruvayur devaswom management committee to change or shift the Udayasthamana Pooja to Vrishchikam Ekadasi.

The management, represented by senior advocates CA Sundaram, V. Giri and advocate Rohini Musa, argued that the performance of rituals during Ekadasi faced logistical challenges posed by the massive influx of devotees on the day.

“I stood for seven hours,” Justice Kumar said, suggesting it was part of a devotional expression. The court said it will list the main appeal for final hearing in December.

The petitioners moved the apex court after the Kerala High Court rejected their pleas to direct the devaswom temple to ensure the Udayasthamana pooja on Vrishchikam Ekadasi. In October last year, the apex court had passed a similar order allowing the pooja to be held on Ekadasi, which fell in the month of November.

Mr. Hary argued that pooja is a sacred and integral part of the temple’s ritual tradition.

“Until 2023, Udayasthamana pooja was always performed on Vrishchikam Ekadasi and only during the last two years, 2024 and 2025, the respondents tried to change this well-established religious practice. Such arbitrary decisions by the respondents go to the very root of the traditional Udayastham temple pooja practices which have been followed for centuries in the temple pooja. Vrishchikam Ekadasi is not only symbolic but a series of nearly 15-18 poojas that are performed from sunrise to sunset,” the proponents said.

Published – 8 Oct 2026 13:05 IST