The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court today ordered issuance of a notice to the Thanjavur District Collector among others on a PIL by a resident of Kumbakonam seeking to ban public meetings around the famous Mahamaham Tank in the temple town to protect it.
A bench, comprising Justice V.Ramasubramanian and Justice V.M.Velumani, admitting the petition, ordered the notice to the state government officials.
The petitioner submitted that the tank, constructed by Govinda Dikshadhar during the Nayak period, is considered very holy.
However, during public meetings held near the temple tank the attendees ate non-vegetarian food and drank liquor and used the tank as toilet for urinating and defecating.
Millions visit the tank for taking holy bath during Mahamaham, held once in 12 years, besides on Masi Maham day every year.
The tank should be protected at all cost and meetings around the temple should be banned, the petitioner said.
The temple and district and municipal officials failed to maintain the tank, despite repeated plea through representation, it said.
