The Madras High Court has instructed the police and district administration to ensure that Bhagwan Kallazhagar receives traditional water spraying during the Chithirai festival in Madurai. Furthermore, the court has mandated the police to prevent any water spraying on women, both young and old, who participate in the event. 

The court emphasized that only individuals who have observed austerities, taken vows, and registered their names with the temple management should be permitted to spray water on the murti as the deity enters the river. This process should adhere strictly to traditional methods and be closely regulated, as directed by Justice GR Swaminathan's bench. 

The court issued the order in response to a writ petition seeking to prohibit the use of high-pressure pumps on the deity of Bhagwan Kallazhagar. The petitioner advocated for the use of traditional hand pumps made from goat skin, without any electronic motors, during the Chithirai Festival when the Kallazhagar deity enters the Vaigai River. 

The Chithirai Festival, celebrated annually in April, commemorates the occasion when Bhagwan Kallazhagar, the elder brother of Meenakshi Amman, enters the Vaigai River. The main deity, Arulmighu Sundararaja Perumal @ Kallazhagar, resides in Alagar Kovil, approximately 18 km from the river. Throughout the festival, Bhagwan Kallazhagar is transported in a palanquin over several days. A customary practice during this event involves dedicated individuals spraying water on the deity using a leather bag known as bellows. 

A devotee named A. Nagarajan filed a petition in the high court, contending that the traditional method of spraying water during the festival has strayed from its original practice. He claimed that instead of the gentle spraying as per tradition, water is now forcefully sprayed using a pressure pump inserted into the leather bag. 

This forceful spraying, according to Nagarajan, presents challenges, particularly for the priest standing next to the idol, who bears the brunt and contends with slippery conditions due to the pressure. Furthermore, Nagarajan raised concerns about the harassment faced by women and girls during the event, which he brought to the court's attention. 

The court noted that the forceful spraying of water by enthusiastic youngsters poses a risk of damage to both the murti and Bhagwan's jewellery, as well as causing significant hardship to the priests and other temple staff. The court emphasised that such incidents must be prevented and avoided. 

Consequently, the court held the district administration and the jurisdictional police accountable for ensuring the smooth conduct of the festival. The District Collector of Madurai was ordered to issue appropriate instructions. 

The court directed the Commissioner of Police of Madurai City and the Superintendent of Police of Madurai (Rural) to ensure compliance not only during the current month but also in the future, as it disposed of the petition. 

Image Source: ANI