Considering the invitation for dhuvajharohanam/ kodiyettram of Avani Mahotsavam of Sri Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur has been printed and in the interest of the function being proceeded with, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday permitted the function to proceed in the timings as indicated in the invitation.The court was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by Sri Subramaniya Swamy Thirukoil Swathanthira Parabalana Sthalathar Sabha seeking a direction to the authorities to conduct the dhuvajharohanam/ kodiyettram of Avani Mahotsavam of the temple as per the auspicious time fixed by the Vidhayagar.The sabha said there existed a traditional office known as Vidhayagar which had been recognised in connection with religious customs and practices of the temple from time immemorial. One of the principal duties of the Vidhayagar was to determine and fix the appropriate timings for religious activities and ceremonies conducted at the temple. Such timings were fixed after taking into account the relevant astrological and religious considerations.The devasthanam sought the recommendation of the Vidhayagar and the auspicious time for dhuvajharohanam/ kodiyettram of Avani Mahotsavam was fixed between 9.00 a.m. and 9.22 a.m. in accordance with the panchangam, established procedure and religious custom followed by the temple, the sabha said.However, it had been decided by the Executive Officer of the temple that dhuvajharohanam/ kodiyettram would be conducted between 5.15 a.m. and 5.40 a.m. on August 31. The timing was contrary to the timing prescribed in the panchangam prepared on the basis of the recommendation of the Vidhayagar. The alteration of the auspicious timing had been made without any consultation, the sabha said.The sabha sought a direction to restrain the authorities from conducting the ceremony between 5.15 a.m. and 5.40 a.m. and to follow the auspicious time fixed by the Vidhayagar.A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel said let the function proceed in the timings as indicated in the invitation. This permission for flag hoisting to be performed at a time which had not been suggested by the Vidhayagar, was only for this particular occasion, taking into consideration the fact that an order had to be passed today being Friday and the function to start on Monday.The temple authorities should never override the views of the Vidhayagar in future, the court said, and posted the matter for further hearing to September 10. Published - August 28, 2026 10:18 pm IST