Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh high court, in a recent judgement, has stated that priests who have travelled abroad should not be permitted to perform puja or worship the deity within the sanctum sanctorum of any temple.The court further directed the state endowments department to comply with the guidelines issued by the Sringeri Sharada Peetham, which codify the traditional conduct and standards of ritual purity required of hereditary temple priests.The matter came before the HC following a petition filed on Dec 20, 2024 by D S S S Subrahmanyam Somayaji. He contended that the guidelines issued by Bharathi Tirtha Mahaswami, the Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham, were not being implemented. He also pointed out that a govt circular dated Nov 10, 2010 had laid down similar directions, yet remained largely unenforced.Appearing for the petitioner, K R Srinivas submitted that both the govt memo and the religious guidelines require hereditary priests to observe strict spiritual discipline. This includes the performance of Trikala Sandhya Vandanam (a Vedic ritual conducted at dawn, noon, and dusk), the practice of Guru Upadesha Mantra Japa (recitation of a sacred mantra received during initiation), continued engagement with Vedic study, and adherence to prescribed standards of ritual purity in diet, conduct, and personal discipline. Only those who maintain such discipline, he argued, are qualified to enter the sanctum sanctorum and perform worship.He further argued that priests who have travelled abroad, undergone shaving or hair-cutting in ways considered contrary to traditional norms, or failed to observe the prescribed spiritual practices should not be allowed to enter the sanctum sanctorum or participate in temple worship. According to him, temple rituals and ceremonies must strictly follow established traditions, and the failure of authorities to enforce these guidelines was compromising the sanctity of worship. He said the commissioner and the principal secretary of endowments department were not following the circular and the guidelines.In response, the govt pleader for the endowments department submitted that steps would be taken to ensure compliance with both the circular and the guidelines.After considering the arguments, Justice Nimmagadda Venkateswarlu disposed of the petition, directing the state govt to adhere to the 2010 circular and to implement the guidelines issued by Sringeri Sharada Peetham.
