UDAYASTHAMANA POOJA
1. Context
The Supreme Court slammed the Devaswom administration of Sri Krishna temple in Kerala’s Guruvayur for deciding not to conduct the age-old ‘Udayasthamana Pooja’ on Guruvayur Ekadashi day (December 11) citing crowd management and wondered how it could have decided so.
2.Udayasthamana Pooja
Udayasthamana Pooja is a special and elaborate form of worship observed in Hindu temples, particularly in South India. The term "Udayasthamana" literally means "from sunrise to sunset," signifying that the pooja is performed continuously throughout the day.
The Udayasthamana Pooja consists of a sequence of worship rituals conducted in temples from sunrise (udaya) to sunset (asthamana). However, the temple authorities recently opted to forgo this ceremony on Ekadasi, citing difficulties in crowd management and the intention to provide devotees with more time for darshan
Procedures:
- The day starts with the temple's usual Suprabhata Seva (awakening of the deity).
- A series of rituals, including Abhishekam (ritual bathing), Alankaram (decoration of the deity), and Archana (chanting of names), are conducted.
- Special offerings such as naivedyam (food), lamps, and flowers are made throughout the day.
3. Controversy Surround it
The Kerala High Court previously dismissed a case on the issue, stating that the Tantri has ultimate authority over such decisions. However, the Supreme Court has now issued notices to the temple management, the Kerala government, and the Tantri, and plans to hear the case in four weeks.
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The dispute began when the temple administration, supported by the Tantri, decided to discontinue the ‘Udayasthamana Pooja’ on ‘Vrishchikam Ekadasi.’ This decision was justified by challenges in crowd management and the intention to allow devotees more time for darshan. Members of the temple’s hereditary priestly family opposed the move, claiming it disrupted long-standing customs and traditions.
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The temple authorities and the Tantri argued that the pooja is not an essential ritual but a voluntary offering (vazhipadu) that has been altered in the past to address practical concerns. They highlighted that the decision was made in consultation with the Tantri and did not compromise the temple’s rituals or traditions.
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The High Court observed that determining whether the pooja on ‘Vrishchikam Ekadasi’ constitutes an integral part of the temple’s traditions (acharams) or is simply a form of offering (vazhipadu) involves factual considerations
4. Who is Adi Sankaracharya?
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Adi Shankaracharya (788–820 CE) was a revered Indian philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta. He is considered one of the most influential spiritual leaders in Indian history and is credited with reviving Hinduism at a time when it faced challenges from other faiths and internal divisions.
- Advaita Vedanta translates to "non-dualism." It emphasizes the unity of the individual soul (Atman) with the ultimate reality (Brahman), asserting that the perceived differences in the world are an illusion (Maya).
- Shankaracharya argued that liberation (Moksha) is achieved through self-realization and knowledge (Jnana), rather than rituals or blind faith.
- Engaged in intellectual debates with scholars of different philosophies, such as Mimamsa, Nyaya, and Buddhism, strengthening Hindu orthodoxy.
- Wrote commentaries (bhashyas) on key Hindu texts like the Brahmasutras, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita
- Adi Shankaracharya is regarded as a saint and philosopher who brought coherence to Hindu philosophy.
- His teachings continue to influence Indian spirituality and philosophy, making Advaita Vedanta one of the most enduring schools of thought
5. Philosophy of Adi Sankaracharya
Shankaracharya founded the philosophy of Advaita Vedanta, which translates to "non-dualism." It is a school of Hindu philosophy that emphasizes the fundamental oneness of the individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman).
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Non-Duality:
- The individual soul (Atman) and the ultimate reality (Brahman) are not separate but one and the same.
- The perception of duality is due to ignorance (Avidya).
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Illusion of the World (Maya):
- The world of forms and distinctions is an illusion, created by Maya.
- Realizing the truth of Brahman removes this illusion.
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Path to Liberation (Moksha):
- Liberation is achieved through self-knowledge (Jnana), meditation, and realization of one's unity with Brahman.
- Rituals and devotional practices are secondary aids for preparing the mind.
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Ultimate Goal:
- The ultimate goal is self-realization and merging with Brahman, transcending all distinctions and suffering.
6. Constitutional governing the management of religious institutions in India?
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Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28):
- Article 25: Guarantees the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health. It allows the state to regulate secular aspects of religious practices.
- Article 26: Grants religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs in matters of religion, establish institutions, and own property, subject to public order, morality, and health.
- Article 27: Prohibits the use of taxpayer money for promoting or maintaining any particular religion.
- Article 28: Prohibits religious instruction in educational institutions wholly maintained by the state.
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Directive Principles of State Policy:
- Article 44: Advocates for a Uniform Civil Code to ensure that personal laws, including those related to religious institutions, do not conflict with secular principles.
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Equality and Non-Discrimination:
- Articles 14 and 15: Ensure equality before the law and prohibit discrimination based on religion.
- Article 29: Protects cultural and religious practices of minorities.
7. What is the role of the judiciary in balancing the protection of religious traditions with administrative concerns?
The judiciary ensures that the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution are protected.
- Article 25: Protects individual religious freedom, subject to public order, morality, and health.
- Article 26: Protects the rights of religious denominations to manage their religious affairs
The judiciary has developed the "Essential Religious Practices" doctrine, distinguishing practices integral to a religion from those that are optional or secular.
- In Shirur Mutt Case (1954), the Supreme Court ruled that the state could not interfere in essential religious practices but could regulate secular activities.
- This doctrine helps determine whether administrative actions infringe on religious freedom
The judiciary has developed the "Essential Religious Practices" doctrine, distinguishing practices integral to a religion from those that are optional or secular.
- In Shirur Mutt Case (1954), the Supreme Court ruled that the state could not interfere in essential religious practices but could regulate secular activities.
- This doctrine helps determine whether administrative actions infringe on religious freedom
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For Prelims: Key Constitutional Provisions like Freedom of religion, Right to equality, Prohibition of discrimination on religious grounds
For Mains: GS Paper II: Indian Polity and Governance
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Source: Indianexpress
