The Supreme Court on Wednesday appointed former judge Justice (Retd.) Sanjay Kishan Kaul as mediator to facilitate an amicable resolution of the long-standing dispute between the Thengalai (southern sect) and Vadagalai (northern sect) Vaishnavite denominations concerning the recitation of mantram and prabandham during ceremonial worship at the Sri Devaraja Swamy Temple in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi further granted liberty to Justice Kaul to associate two additional persons well-versed in the relevant language, religious practices, and temple traditions to assist in the mediation process.