Notes

In SC case on Agama, the contested history of temple priesthood

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Last Updated01/10/2023

Recently, the Supreme Court ordered status quo on the appointment of archakas (priests) in Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu.

These are a collection of Tantric literature (in Tamil and Sanskrit) and scriptures of Hindu schools.
The three main branches of Agama texts are Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakta.
The term ‘Agamas’ literally means tradition or that which has come down, and the Agama texts describe yoga, mantras, temple construction, deity worship, etc.
Temple worship according to Agamic rules can be said to have started during the Pallava dynasty (551-901 AD) in South India, but they were fully under establishment during the Chola dynasty (848-1279 AD).
The niches of following Agamic rules for building Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu continues even in the modern era.
Almost all the temples follow the same custom during festivals and worship methods with minor exceptions.

An association of archakas had challenged reforms introduced by the present govt of Tamil Nadu, which are seen as attempting to change the hereditary system of appointing archakas in Agama temples.
The petitioners asked for the quashing of the state government’s order, which paved the way for individuals trained in Agama Sastra, irrespective of caste and gender, to assume priesthood.
The petitioners alleged the state government was unlawfully attempting to appoint non-believers as archakas, infringing upon religious rights protected under the Constitution of India.
They contended that knowledge of the Agamas required years of rigorous training under learned Gurus and a one-year certificate course run by the government is not sufficient to assume priesthood.