In Brief

The Supreme Court dismissed an appeal challenging a temple's ownership of 26 items of jewellery (Adipooram Thiruvabaranam) dedicated to Sri Neelayadakshi Amman. The appellant, as adopted son of the original donor, claimed the jewellery was personal property and sought exclusive control of the temple's safe vault. All three courts found the jewellery was specifically endowed by the donor's ancestors since 1894 exclusively for adorning the deity during the annual Adipooram festival. The Court held that a specific endowment requires no transfer of title—a charge suffices—and can be inferred from long user and circumstances without written documents. The appeal was dismissed and the temple's injunction decree confirmed, obligating the appellant to cooperate in providing the jewellery whenever required for religious ceremonies."

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