Perform 'aaradhana' at Navavrindavan one after other, SC tells warring Mutts

The Supreme Court on Friday told Sri Raghavendra Swamy Mutt and Uttaradi Mutt to perform the three-day 'Aaradhana' (worshipping) one after the other respectively at Navavrindavanagaddi at Koppal district for one-and-a-half day each.

A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud made the interim arrangement as both the Mutts are locked in a protracted legal battle claiming rights over the portion of the land.

"It is directed that the respondent (Sri Raghvendra Swamy Mutt) shall do 'Aaradhana' of the deity for a day-and-a-half, which would cover the first day and half of the second day. The petitioner (Uttaradi Mutt) shall take over the Aaradhana from the second day, which starts at 3 pm and continue till the end of the third day," the bench said.

The court also cautioned the parties to maintain their conduct.

It ordered the Koppal district Superintendent of Police to depute adequate police personnel to ensure that there would be no law and order problem.

The court put a special leave petition filed by the Uttaradi Mutt, challenging the Karnataka High Court judgement of November 14, 2017 for final disposal on July 18.

As senior advocates Subromonium Prasad and Huzefa Ahmadi, representing the two Mutts sought preference over the right to perform worshipping, the bench at one point of time said, "Both of you get out and we will appoint somebody else to do 'Aaradhana'."

Finally, both the parties agreed, the court made the interim arrangement, pending disposal of the matter.

Both the Mutts claimed rights over the portion of the land measuring 27.5 acres out of 100 acres at Anegundi village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppal district bound on the East, West, South and North by the Tungabhadra River, popularly known as Nava Vrindavanagaddi.

They also fought over the rights to perform the rituals at the Brindavana of Sri Padmanabha Tirtha, the first disciple of Madhwacharya, at the Navavrindavan (an island).