'Cochin Devaswom Board Duty-Bound To Ensure Basic Facilities To Devotees': Kerala High Court Calls For Proper Management Of 409 Temples
The Kerala High Court, in a recent order, remarked that the Cochin Devaswom Board has the duty to ensure basic amenities like sufficient toilets, safe drinking water, etc. to the devotees of the 409 temples managed by it.
The Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar was considering a suo motu devaswom board petition initiated on the basis of a complaint submitted by the Convenor of Sree Kurumbamma Bhakthajana Samithi, Kodungallur regarding issues of inadequate facilities for devotees of the temple.
The complaint had pointed out that even though Rs. 5/- was collected from devotees, the toilets were not clean and that there were no arrangements to provide safe drinking water. It is also highlighted that there is corruption in the 'Prasada Ootu' as the same is limited to only few devotees whereas huge amounts are collected from them and the public. Further, it is stated that there is no satisfactory darshan in the Sreekovil of the temple.
After referring to Section 73A of the Travancore-Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, 1950 and a 2007 Apex Court decision in A.A. Gopalakrishnan v. Cochin Devaswom Board and Ors., the Court observed:
“The Board is duty-bound to ensure basic facilities, such as a sufficient number of toilets, access to pure drinking water, proper parking facilities for the vehicles of devotees, and a clean and hygienic environment in and around the temples. In spite of repeated directions from this Court, it appears that the Board is giving the least priority to the primary and basic needs of pilgrims. We strongly deprecate such an attitude on the part of the Board.”
Directions
Referring to the directions made in Radhakrishnan P. N. v. State of Kerala with respect to devotee management in Guruvayur Temple, the Court opined that the same can be made applicable to the major temples under the Cochin Devaswom Board as well.
Assessment of basic facilities
The Court issued directions to the Board to conduct a detailed health and cleanliness assessment of the temples under it:
“The Board shall conduct a detailed assessment with regard to the basic facilities such as sufficiency of toilets, health sanitation, and cleanliness in each and every temple under their control.”
The Board is to formulate and submit the scheme within three months from the date of the order.
Separate toilets for transgenders and differently-abled persons
Directions are issued to Commissioner to consult with the President and Members of the Board to formulate a detailed scheme for constructing toilet complexes for staff as well as devotees and for having separate toilets for gents, ladies, transgenders, and differently-abled persons.
The Board is to ensure that there is a scheme in place to serve the high numbers of devotees during festive seasons and to ensure that there are sufficient bio-toilets.
Thorough cleaning once a month
The Board and the Devaswom Commissioner is directed to ensure that all temples are clean and tidy in all respects and to follow the green protocols issued by the government. They are to also ensure that there is a thorough cleaning of temples and its premises at least once a month.
The Devaswom Commissioner is also to file a detailed affidavit, within 3 months, with respect to the facilities available in each temple and the number of devotees visiting the temple during normal periods and festival seasons.
With these directions, the Court closed the suo motu petition.
Case No: DBP No. 37 of 2026
Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 196
Counsel for the resspondents: Rashmi K.M. – Sr. Government Pleader, K.P. Sudheer – SC – Cochin Devaswom Board