The Madras High Court has ruled that only the Tenkalai sect of Vaishnavites in Kancheepuram can recite Srisaila Dayapathram, Nalayira Divyaprabandham, and Manavala Mamunigal Vaazhi Thirunamam at the Devarajaswamy Temple. The Vadakalai sect is barred from insisting on their own hymns like Desikan Vaazhi Thirunamam during ceremonial worship. A Division Bench of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and S. Sounthar noted that both sects follow Saint Ramanujar but have different spiritual gurus: Tenkalai follow Manavala Mamunigal (Y-shaped insignia), Vadakalai follow Vedanta Desikan (U-shaped insignia). For over 200 years, these sects have clashed over Adhiapaka Mirasi, the official right to perform certain services and rituals during temple worship and processions. Courts since 1882 have upheld Tenkalai’s exclusive rights to this office. Vadakalai members can join in reciting prayers but cannot form separate groups to recite their own hymns. The Vadakalai sect argued that past rulings came before the Constitution and did not consider religious freedom rights under Articles 25 and 26. The court rejected this, stating: "The right to freedom of religion enshrined under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution cannot be expanded to affect the rights of office-holders and to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in the temple. If such things are permitted, certainly it will affect the right to worship available to the other devotees." Justice Sounthar said, "No ordinary devotee or non-office-holder, including the members of the northern cult, are entitled to claim that they are also entitled to perform the official services in the temple." Only official priests and designated office-holders can perform rituals or recite verses in the sanctum sanctorum. The court also noted that holding the Adhiapaka Mirasi office involves rights to the voluntary offerings made by devotees, hence property rights. It directed the temple's Executive Officer to enforce the long-standing court orders and seek police help if needed to ensure peaceful worship. The ruling reaffirms the exclusive ceremonial role of the Tenkalai sect in the Devarajaswamy Temple and aims to settle decades of conflict between the two sects.