  The radiative decay of the Hoyle state is the doorway to the production of
heavier elements in stellar environment. Here we report, an exclusive
measurement of electric quadruple (E$_2$) transitions of the Hoyle state to the
ground state of $^{12}$C through the $^{12}$C(p,
p$^\prime$$\gamma$$\gamma$)$^{12}$C reaction. Triple coincidence measurement
yields a value of radiative branching ratio $\Gamma_{rad}$/$\Gamma$ = 4.01 (30)
$\times$ 10$^{-4}$. The result has been corroborated by an independent
experiment based on the complete kinematical measurement $via.$ $^{12}$C(p,
p$^\prime$)$^{12}$C reaction ($\Gamma_{rad}$/$\Gamma$ = 4.04 (30) $\times$
10$^{-4}$). Using our results together with the currently adopted values of
$\Gamma_{\pi}$(E$_0$)/$\Gamma$ and $\Gamma_{\pi}$($E_0$), the radiative width
of the Hoyle state is found to be 3.75 (40) $\times$ 10$^{-3}$ eV. We emphasize
here that our result is not in agreement with 34 $\%$ increase in the radiative
decay width of the Hoyle state measured recently but consistent with the
currently adopted value.
