Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Against Vijaywada Utsav Celebrations At Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple Land

The Supreme Court today rejected a challenge to the Andhra Pradesh High Court order which stayed a Single Bench's order restraining lease of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple land to a private society for Dasara celebrations.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Prashant Kumar Mishra heard the matter. Senior Advocates Ranjith Kumar and Nachiketa Joshi appeared for the petitioners.

Considering that the impugned order of the High Court's Division Bench was only interim in nature, the bench dismissed the case.

To recap, land belonging to Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Machilipatnam was proposed to be given on lease by the Endowments Commissioner to the Society for Vibrant Vijayawada for Dasara celebrations. The lease was proposed for a period of 56 days on a payment of Rs.45 lakhs. The temple authorities consented to the same, considering that the land would be returned after the proposed period to the temple/land tenants.

The petitioners challenged this allotment before the High Court, seeking restoration of the land to the temple. A Single Bench ordered immediate restoration of the temple land and restrained the parties from proceeding with the proposal, noting that endowment lands can be used only for religious purposes. In appeal, a Division bench stayed the Single Bench's order.

Story to be updated.

Case Title: BURAGADDA SUJAY KUMAR AND ANR. Versus SOCIETY FOR VIBRANT VIJAYAWAD AND ORS.,SLP(C) No. 27275/2025