Kerala High Court Permits Vadakkumnatha Temple Advisory Committee To Put Up Advertisement Boards During Thrissur Pooram

The Kerala High Court on Friday (April 24) permitted the Temple Advisory Committee of Sree Vadakkumnatha Temple to install advertisement boards in Vadakkumnathan Kshetra Maidan during Thrissur Pooram.

The vacation bench of Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. and Justice K.V. Jayakumar allowed a Devaswom Board Application filed by the Temple Advisory Committee challenging an order of the Cochin Devaswom Board that denied permission to install advertisement boards.

Earlier, while considering DBA No. 1 of 2026, the Division Bench had already granted permission to the Devaswom Board to allow the Advisory Committee to put up advertisement boards on 'Athirolsavam', 'Shivaratri' and 'Anayootu'. While granting permission, the Court had mandated that its previous directions in similar matters be scrupulously followed by the Board.

The Court had in an order in DBA No. 6/2025 directed the Devaswom Commissioner to ensure that proper income is generated by the advertisements and such income is to kept in a separate account. It was also clarified that no name boards with LED lights would be permitted.

Taking note of the afore judgment, the Court opined that permission can be granted to the Advisory Committee to install advertisement boards in connection with the pooram festival.

However, the Court also made it clear that the conditions imposed by the Court in DBA No. 3/2025 is to be complied with.

In DBA 3/2025, the Court had directed to ensure that no advertisement boards are erected on the right of way or pedestrian facilities of public roads around the premises of the temples during festivals. It was also directed the Board to make sure that no objectionable materials are to be put up.

Case No: DBA No. 2 of 2026

Case Title: The Temple Advisory Committee v. Cochin Devaswom Board and Ors.

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 226

Counsel for the petitioner: Ramakrishnan M.N., K.C. Minesh Kumar

Counsel for the respondents: K.P. Sudheer

Click to Read/Download Judgment

Click to Read/Download Judgment in DBA 1/2026

Click to Read/Download Judgment in DBA 3/2025

Click to Read/Download Order in DBA 6/2025

Click to Read/Download Judgment in W.P.(C)Nos.26499 of 2018 and 4617 of 2022