The Madras High Court has issued instructions to both the police and district administration, mandating the traditional spraying of water on Lord Kallazhagar during the Chithirai festival in Madurai.

In addition, the court has instructed the police to prohibit any spraying of water on women, regardless of age, who are participating in the event.

"Only those persons who have undertaken austerities and who have taken vows and whose names have been registered with the temple management should be allowed to spray water on the idol when the Lord enters the River and that too only in the traditional mode.''

The order was issued in response to a writ petition filed seeking to restrain the use of high-pressure pumps on Lord Kallazhagar's deity. The petitioner further requested that only traditional hand pumps made out of goat skin be utilized, without the use of any electronic motors, during the Chithirai Festival, particularly when the Kallazhagar deity enters the Vaigai River.

The Chithirai Festival, observed annually in April, commemorates the moment when Lord Kallazhagar, the elder brother of Goddess Meenakshi, makes his ceremonial entry into the Vaigai River. The main deity, Arulmighu Sundararaja Perumal, also known as Kallazhagar, resides in Alagar Kovil, situated approximately 18 km away from the river. Throughout the festival, Lord Kallazhagar is transported in a palanquin over several days. An integral aspect of this tradition involves devoted individuals using a leather bag called bellows to spray water on the deity.

However, A Nagarajan, a devotee of Lord Kallazhagar, lodged a petition in the high court, alleging that the traditional practice of spraying water during the festival has strayed from its original form.

He alleged that water is now sprayed using a pressure pump fitted into the leather bag, leading to a forceful spray instead of a gentle one as per the original practice. According to him, this forceful spraying creates challenges, particularly for the priest standing next to the idol, who bears the brunt and contends with slippery conditions caused by the pressure.

The court observed that the forceful spraying of water by enthusiastic youngsters does indeed pose a risk of damaging both the idol and the Lord's jewelry. Additionally, it causes significant hardship to the priests and other temple staff. The court emphasized the need to avoid and prevent such incidents from occurring.

Therefore, the court held that both the district administration and the jurisdictional police are responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of the festival.

The court ordered the District Collector of Madurai to issue appropriate instructions in this regard.

It is the duty of the Commissioner of Police, Madurai City, and the Superintendent of Police, Madurai (Rural) to ensure their compliance not only during this month but also in the future," the court directed while disposing of the petition.

Case Title: A.Nagarajan v. The District Collector, Madurai and Others