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"2. Sri Gandhmadhana Parvatham which is a two-storeyed mantapam in Rameswaram is at present in the management of the respondents 1 to 4 who claim to be the owners of the same. As a result of the obstructions created by the second respondent when the Rameswaram Devasthanam has attempted to place a hundial in the Gandhamadhana Parvatham, there arose a necessity to decide whether the said institution is a public religious institution or not. Proceedings have therefore been started under sec.63(a) of the Madras H.R & C.E Act and notices have been served upon the respondents to show cause as to why Sri Gandhamadhana Parvatham at Rameswaram should not be declared as a religious insitution under Section 63(a) of the Act. Rameswaram Devasthanam has applied to be impleaded as a party to the proceedings and it has been added as such 5th respondent.
"6.POINT: Sri Gandhamadhana Parvatham temple is a two-storeyed mantapam situated at a distance nearly 2 miles in Rameswaram island to the north of Sri Ramanathaswami temple. This temple stands on a raised platform over a hillock which is said to be the part of the original hill where Sri Rama was advised to establish a Lingam. The footprints of Sri Rama carved on a stone are placed in the centre of the lower building, and to these footprints pooja is performed. There is no denial of the fact that the respondents 1 to 4 have got a right to perform the pooja in this temple. This is evident from the fact that there was a litigation between the respondents themselves before a Civil Court, with regard to the share of the right of pooja miras in the temple and it has been settled, that the second respondent is to have 1/2 share while respondents 1, 3 and 4 to have the other half. But, the mere fact that these respondents have got a right to perform the pooja in the temple would not by itself clothe them to claim ownership of the temple. In fact, the respondents 1, 3 and 4 remained exparte in the enquiry and it is only the second respondent who now opposes the claim of Sri Ramanathaswami Devasthanam that Sri Gandhamadhana Parvatham is one of the institutions attached to the Rameswaram Devasthanam. ... ... The claim of the second respondent is that the temple in question has been built on a private property which is about 25 acres in extent belonging to his ancestors. The S.No. of this extent has been given as 518, but at the same time the second respondent is not able to produce any evidence to substantiate that this property belonged to his ancestors. Except his own statement in the course of his evidence as P.W.1, there is no other evidence to show that this property belonged to the second respondent and his ancestors. ... ... Under this circumstances, I do not think that we can rely upon these references alone to come to the conclusion that the property in S.No.518 was owned by the family of the second respondent. ...

45. It is just and necessary to refer the following documents as under:

Sl.No. Exhibits Dated Details of Documents
1. Ex.B.5 02.07.1895 Piece Work Agreement by Subbiah Kothan to Rameswaram Devasthanam.
2. Ex.B.6 13.03.1904 Certified Copy of letter from Narayanasami Mudaliar to Rameswaram Devasthanam General Superintendent.
3. Ex.B.7 19.03.1904 Certified copy of receipt by Narayanasami Mudaliar to the Khajana for Rs.200/-.
4. Ex.B.8 04.04.1904 Certified copy of entries in Measurement book No.6 of Rameswaram Devasthanam.
5. Ex.B.9 15.04.1904 Certified copy of receipt by Narayanasami Mudaliar to Rameswaram Devasthanam for Rs.300/-.
6. Ex.B.10 24.05.1904 Certified copy of petition by Narayanasami Mudaliar to Rameswaram Devasthanam.
7. Ex.B.11 19.05.1904 Progress report relating to Gandhamadhana Parvatham iron fencing work for April 1904.
8. Ex.B.12 24.05.1904 Certified copy of receipt by Narayanasami Mudaliar for Rs.233.10.0
9. Ex.B.13 19.06.1904 Certified copy of receipt by Kumaravelu Pillai for Rs.66.6.0
10. Ex.B.14 19.06.1904 Certified copy of receipt by Soundaramuthu Pillai for Rs.80/-.