Tamil Nadu   

Temple devasthanam directed to pay costs to pilgrim

Special Correspondent

State Consumer Disputes Redressal panel upholds the lower forum's order The devasthanam should ensure that sufficient amenities were provided so that they could have a peaceful darshan, the Commission said in its order

CHENNAI: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has upheld a lower forum's order directing a devasthanam to pay Rs.500 as costs to a pilgrim, who after tonsuring his head, was put to hardship due to non-availability of water in a temple for bathing.

When devotees thronged the temple, the devasthanam should ensure that sufficient amenities were provided so that they could have a peaceful darshan, the Commission President, Justice K.Sampath, and Member Pon.Gunasekaran, said in its order.

Selvakumar, an advocate of Parangipettai, Agaram village, complained to the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum (DCDRF), Cuddalore, that he along with his family visited the Arulmighu Devanathaswamy temple, Thiruvandipuram, Cuddalore, in February 2000. After tonsuring his head, he wanted to take bath but found there was no water in the bathroom tap. The handpump did not work. The Gadilam river was also contaminated. He had paid Rs.5 and purchased a ticket for tonsuring. His representation to the devasthanam was of no avail. After tonsuring, he was in the temple for two hours without taking bath. Without having darshan, the family returned to Cuddalore, where he took bath at the bus stand.

The temple Executive Officer, cited as the opposite party, submitted there was no power supply when the devotee visited the temple. The clerk informed him that he could take bath near the well inside the temple and also offered to provide a bucket. But the devotee refused. It was not correct to say the river water was contaminated.

The DCDRF said it was the temple's duty to have provided facility for bath to devotees. Against this, the temple filed appeal.

In its order, the Commission Bench said the DCDRF's finding was correct. The forum had said when there was power failure, the devasthanam should store water in tanks and it was not proper to blame the electricity department. It was admitted by the devasthanam there was no water available in the temple bathroom.

As he had his head tonsured, apparently, the devotee was reluctant to enter the temple without taking bath. It could not be said that what the temple received was only a donation. While Rs. 4 went to the barber, one rupee went to the temple out of which the facilities had to be provided, the Bench said.

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