In Brief
This civil appeal concerned whether Shri Ram Mandir Indore is a private or public temple. The appellant claimed to be the Mahant (manager) entitled to control the temple and its agricultural lands. The High Court and First Appellate Court held it was a public temple with lands belonging to the Deity, not the pujari (priest). The Supreme Court affirmed, finding: succession was by Guru-Shishya tradition (not hereditary); the land was recorded in the Deity's name with pujaris only named as priests; the government appointed pujaris; and the appellant had leased land from government, acknowledging state control. The Court held pujaris serve only to perform worship and cannot manage temple property. The appeal was dismissed.
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