Supreme Court declares temple traditions supreme over personal beliefs. Worshippers must follow the sacred sampradaya or stay away. Why does this protect Sanatana Dharma’s ancient rites?
On April 9, the nine-judge bench in the Sabarimala reference affirmed that temple visitors must adhere to each shrine’s established practices. Justice M.M. Sundresh emphasized: follow the sampradaya or leave. CJI Surya Kant cited Guruvayoor’s shirtless entry and gurdwara head coverings as examples.
Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan argued the 2018 Sabarimala verdict wrongly applied the Abrahamic ‘essential practices’ test to Hindu sampradayas. He stressed Ayyappa devotees form a distinct denomination requiring a 40-day vratham, open to all faiths who accept Lord Ayyappa’s divinity. ASG K.M. Nataraj defended temple autonomy as the deity’s will manifested through devotee faith.
The Sabarimala controversy challenged women’s age-based entry as a custom, not an essential practice. The court now recognizes Hinduism’s plural sampradaya system – shared rituals binding communities around deities without centralized authority. Justice B.V. Nagarathna noted Hindus access multiple traditions but must honor each temple’s discipline.
Safeguards Kerala temples’ unique customs against uniform rights claims, preserving Sanatana Dharma’s diverse expressions from judicial overreach.
Sampradaya supremacy affirms Hindu temples as living traditions where the deity’s will governs through collective devotion.
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