Temple committee to pick new name for 'Kodathi Vilakku' after High Court flags judicial neutrality

The Kerala High Court has directed the Guruvayur Devaswom to rename 'Kodathi Vilakku', a ceremonial lamp-lighting event at the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Swami Temple, to ensure that the event does not appear to have any association with the judiciary. The Devaswom Managing Committee, which administers the temple, will meet shortly to consider the directive and decide on a new name. The court's directive underscores the constitutional principle that public institutions must remain neutral in religious matters.

The event is considered one of the major offerings at the temple, which is one of the most revered Krishna temples in South India and a major pilgrimage centre. During the ritual, all lamps in the temple are lit, creating a spectacular display, and a procession with three caparisoned elephants is held. A Nadaswaram concert, a traditional wind instrument performance, is also an integral part of the ceremony. The Vilakku is organised by the Sree Guruvayurappan Ekadashi Court Vilakku Celebration Committee, which comprises members of the Chavakkad Munsiff Court Bar Association.

The Devaswom Bench of the Kerala High Court, comprising Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan and K.V. Jayakumar, observed that the nomenclature 'Kodathi Vilakku' may inadvertently create an impression of an institutional association or endorsement by the judiciary in relation to an event connected with a particular religious tradition. The Bench suggested adopting a name that would serve the interest of maintaining the perception of institutional neutrality.

The direction came on a petition filed by Rajeswari, administrator of the Gurubaba Ashram in Guruvayur. She argued that the Kodathi Vilakku was continuing despite the court banning it in 2022. She also sought a ban on other similarly named events at the temple, including 'Police Vilakku', 'Postal Vilakku', 'SBI Vilakku', 'Canara Bank Vilakku', and 'Dhanalakshmi Vilakku'.

In 2022, a Single Bench of Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar had advised judicial officers in Thrissur not to actively involve themselves in organising the event, either by consenting to be a part of the organising committee or in any other manner. The Bench also said judicial officers should not feel compelled or obliged to attend the event. It held that the use of the name 'Kodathi Vilakku' was unacceptable because it gave the impression that the courts were connected with the organisation of the event. As secular democratic institutions under the Constitution, the courts cannot be seen engaging in activities that promote any particular religion, the Bench had observed.

The latest directive does not stop the ritual from being performed; it only requires a change in nomenclature to avoid any perceived association with the judiciary. The Devaswom is expected to continue the ritual under a new name that will be decided in consultation with the festival organising committee. The committee is expected to meet in the coming days to decide on an alternative name that reflects the spiritual essence of the ritual while avoiding any institutional reference.

Responding to the developments, A.V. Gopinath, chairperson of the Guruvayur Devaswom Managing Committee, said a decision on the name would be taken in full compliance with the High Court order. "The organising committee would decide the name, and accordingly we would proceed with the programme. The only hiccup that might arise would be if the committee says that it can't decide on a name; even then, we would consult with the High Court and proceed," he said.