Renovation Of Padmanabhaswamy Temple Idol Must Proceed With Sanctity: Kerala High Court Awaits Sculptors' Consent

The division bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M B Snehalatha were considering a petition which alleged defects in the temple's Moolavigraha.

The Court had earlier directed the Administrative Committee to submit a report on the repair works being carried out in the Temple.

The Standing Counsel for the Administrative Committee accordingly filed a memo enclosing the “Report of the Committee of Experts for Renovation of Moolabimbam (Moolavigraha)” and submitted that the work cannot begin until the consent of the five identified shilpis is obtained. It was further informed that the committee has already approached the five experts named in the report and is awaiting their response.

Observing that the tasks listed must be carried out “with the sanctity that holds the cosmic power of the temple,” the Bench noted that securing the shilpis' consent is indispensable. As the Administrative Committee has initiated this process, the Court stated it must await the outcome.

The expert committee's report also records that the list of materials required for the renovation will be finalised within two weeks, a deadline that is yet to elapse.

The counsel appearing for the petitioner expressed their apprehension that without continued judicial oversight, the renovation may regress into earlier patterns of delay. The Court, however, declined to enter into any factual contest at this stage, stating that the present objective is to ensure that renovation is completed within the prescribed timeframe and in accordance with the Chief Thanthri's instructions.

The Bench was informed that the Lakshadeepam festival of the Temple culminates on January 14, 2026, and that renovation work can begin only after the event. The Court at this clarified that it does not propose to wait until then for progress updates, especially regarding shilpi consent and material quantification.

The Court also considered an application moved by the petitioner, seeking appointment of a former IAS officer and former Executive Officer of the temple as Special Commissioner to oversee the 2025–26 Lakshadeepam festival.

Noting that the writ proceedings need not be treated as adversarial and declining to enter into the parties' mutual allegations, the Court recorded that the temple is already governed by an Administrative Committee chaired by the District Judge and an Advisory Committee led by retired High Court Judge Justice T.R. Ramachandran Nair.

The Bench therefore directed the Advisory Committee to oversee the preparation and conduct of the festival as it deems fit, and to provide a report on its conclusion through the standing counsel.

The case is posted on 10 December for further consideration.

Case Title: R Rajasekharan Pillai v State of Kerala and Anr and connected matter

Case No: WP(C) 7039/ 2025 and connected matter

Counsel for Petitioner: M Balagovindan, Mini Gangadharan, T K Ananda Padmanabhan, M M Laiju Nissa, D Sreekumar,

Counsel for the Respondent : R Suraj Kumar (SC-Administrative Committee), Nandakumar Menon (Sr.)

Click Here To Read/ Download Interim Order