The Kerala High Court has issued a stern directive to the Cochin Devaswom Board (CDB), ordering the immediate provision of basic amenities across all 409 temples under its management. Expressing strong dissatisfaction with the Board’s “attitude,” the court observed that despite previous judicial interventions, the primary needs of pilgrims continue to be sidelined.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K.V. Jayakumar passed the order while disposing of a petition that highlighted the severe inadequacy of facilities at the historic Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple in Thrissur. The court emphasized that the Board is legally duty-bound to ensure that devotees are provided with essential services, including hygienic restrooms and potable water.
During the proceedings, the Bench noted with concern that the Board had shown a lack of urgency in addressing the requirements of the millions of pilgrims who visit these shrines.
“In spite of repeated directions from this court, it appears that the Board is giving the least priority to the primary and basic needs of pilgrims. We strongly deprecate such an attitude on the part of the Board,” the court remarked.
The Bench underscored that the mandate of the Devaswom Board extends beyond administrative management to ensuring a clean and dignified environment for worship. This includes sufficient parking, access to drinking water, and overall hygiene in and around the temple premises.
To ensure accountability, the High Court has outlined a time-bound roadmap for the CDB:
- Detailed Assessment: The Board must conduct an immediate and exhaustive audit of the existing facilities, specifically focusing on the number and condition of toilets and sanitation standards in every temple.
- Inclusive Toilet Complexes: The court directed the formulation of a scheme to construct modern toilet complexes. These facilities must include separate sections for men, women, transgenders, and persons with disabilities.
- Monthly Maintenance: The shrines and their premises must undergo thorough cleaning at least once a month to maintain a “clean and tidy” environment.
- Festival Support: Recognizing the surge in visitors during annual festivals, the court mandated the deployment of sufficient bio-toilets as temporary measures.
The High Court has directed the Devaswom Commissioner to file a comprehensive affidavit within three months. This report must detail the facilities currently available at each of the 409 temples and provide data on the volume of devotees during both normal and festival periods.
Furthermore, the Board is required to submit the finalized scheme for the construction of restrooms and toilet complexes within the same three-month window.
The petition that triggered these directions specifically brought to light the plight of devotees at the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, one of Kerala’s most ancient shrines dedicated to Bhadrakali, where the lack of clean toilets had become a significant grievance for the visiting public.
