The Supreme Court has put on hold the Madras High Court’s directive that a five-member Board of Management assume control over the administration of the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple from the Podhu Dikshitars. This stay, pronounced on November 4, 2026, comes in response to a challenge mounted by the temple’s traditional custodians.
## What the Supreme Court Ordered
A bench led by Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul Pancholi issued the interim order while reviewing the appeal filed by the Podhu Dikshitars. The petitioners argue that the High Court’s resolution encroaches upon their constitutional rights under Article 26, which guarantees religious denominations the freedom to manage religious affairs.
## The Madras High Court’s Original Decision
On October 30, 2026, a Division Bench consisting of Justices G. Jayachandran and E. Manoharan had ordered the formation of the Board of Management during a batch hearing on writ petitions. These petitions raised concerns about alleged mismanagement at the Sri Sabanayagar Temple—widely known as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple—in Tamil Nadu.
### Board Structure and Power
The composition of the board was detailed:
– Justice V. Bharathidasan (retired Madras High Court judge) as Chairman
– Justice R. Suresh Kumar (retired judge) as Co-Chairman
– C. Rajendran (former IAS officer) as a member
– The Secretary to the Podhu Dikshitars (ex-officio)
– The Secretary of the HR&CE Department (ex-officio)
The High Court ordered that the board take over functions related to:
– Management of temple properties
– Oversight of financial accounts
– Heritage conservation
– Administrative decision-making
– Retrieving encroached temple lands
– Recovering rental arrears
– Ensuring equal access for devotees in the Kanagasabai darshan
### Retention of Ritual Authority
Importantly, the High Court preserved the ritualistic and ceremonial functions—daily worship and periodic festivals—for the Podhu Dikshitars, so long as they conform to established customs and practices.
## Grounds for Podhu Dikshitars’ Appeal
The key contention raised in the petition titled **T.R. Ramesh v. State of Tamil Nadu (SLP(C) No. 039005/2026)** centers on protection under Article 26 of the Indian Constitution. The petitioners maintain that the High Court’s order infringes upon their traditional and constitutional right to manage temple affairs without external interference.
## What Happens Now
With the Supreme Court’s stay in place, the High Court’s order remains suspended, and the Podhu Dikshitars continue to oversee the temple administration until further orders.
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