Introduction:

The Patna High Court recently delivered a significant verdict settling the dispute over the ownership of the Vishnupad temple in Gaya district. The temple, known for its association with Hindu Shraddha rites, was at the center of a legal battle between Gayawal Brahmins, the traditional priests, and the Bihar State Board of Religious Trust (BSBRT). The court, led by Justice Sunil Dutta Mishra, declared the Vishnupad temple as a religious public trust, dismissing the claims of the Gayawal Pandas.

Arguments:

In 1977, the Gayawal Pandas filed a civil suit asserting that the Vishnupad temple is a private trust under their control. They sought a declaration that the temple should not be governed by the Bihar Hindu Religious Trust Act, 1950. The priests argued that the temple’s origin, as per sacred texts like Agni Puran and Vayu Puran, was a grant from Lord Brahma to Gayawal Brahmins. The BSBRT countered, contending that Rani Ahilya Bai’s construction of the temple was for the general public and not exclusively for Gayawal Brahmins. They argued that the temple and its rituals are open to all Hindus, establishing it as a public property. The BSBRT appealed the initial decree in favor of the Gayawal Pandas, asserting its superintending powers over the Vishnupad temple.

Court’s Judgement:

The Patna High Court, in its verdict, emphasized various factors, including the public’s right to worship, the nature of contributions made by the public, and the temple’s origin. The court ruled that the Vishnupad temple is a religious public trust, rejecting the Gayawal Pandas’ claim of exclusive ownership. Justice Mishra cited settled law that if the public benefits from and exercises the right of worship in a temple, it qualifies as a public trust.