Thiruparankundram Row: Madras HC Allows Lamp Lighting Near Sikkandar Dargah, Govt To Appeal In SC
A single judge had permitted lamp lighting during Karthigai deepam on a stone pillar-- which it held as "Deepathoon"-- near Sikkandar Dargah at Thiruparankundram hilltop.
Published : January 6, 2026 at 11:41 AM IST
Madurai/Chennai: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld an earlier order directing that the traditional Karthigai Deepam be lit on the hilltop at Thiruparankundram Hill, dismissing an appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu government and the temple administration.
The government announced that it would knock on the doors of the Supreme Court against the verdict.
A division bench comprising Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan while reaffirming the order passed by single judge Justice GR Swaminathan, determined that the pillar near Sikkandar Dargah as a "Deepathoon"(a stone pillar meant for lighting lamp).
Swaminathan had directed the temple authorities to permit the lighting of the ceremonial lamp on the hilltop lamp pillar during the annual Karthigai festival, in a petition filed by a Hindu outfit activist. The petitioner claimed that lighting the lamp was a long-standing religious practice connected to the temple and the Karthigai Deepam celebrations, and that the practice had historical backing. The state government while opposing the writ petition argued through the temple administration that there was no conclusive proof to establish the existence of a lamp pillar on the hilltop as suggested. The government was also averse to the lighting of lamp at the suggested site near Dargah, fearing that it could lead to law and order problems, as the hill is also home to Sikkandar Dargah.
Challenging Swaminathan's order, the temple administration and the state government filed an appeal before the division bench. While dismissing the appeal, the bench criticised the state government on its averments over the possible law-and-order issue. It held the argument as untenable and as convenient to suit the state narrative. The judgement also rejected the claim that the lamp pillar on the hill belonged to the dargah, stating that such an assertion lacked credible supporting evidence. The judges blamed the Madurai district administration of unnecessarily complicating the matter instead of facilitating a traditional religious practice. The bench termed it as "ridiculous and hard to believe". "Of course, it may happen only if such disturbance is sponsored by the State itself. We pray no State should stoop to that level to achieve their political agenda," it rued.
"The Devasthanam must light the lamp at the Deepathoon. In addition to the prohibitions and restrictions as found in Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Acts and Rules, the ASI(Archaeological Survey of India) shall impose conditions appropriate and necessary to preserve the monuments in the hill," the court ruled. It also directed that the Devasthanam members will "light the lamp in the Deepathoon on the event of Karthigai deepam festival falling in the Tamil month, Karthigai". While it will be off limits to the public, the number of the team members of Devasthanam will have to decided in consultation with the ASI and Police. It tasked the District Collector to co-ordinate and supervise the event.
As for the expectations in the appeal, the bench said "the appellants have failed to produce formidable evidence to show that Agama Sastra of Saivites prohibits lighting lamp at a place which is not straight on top of the deity in Sanctum sanctorum; nor it is the case of the Devasthanam or the Government that lighting deepam is not a custom prevailing in Thirupankundram Hill."
Law Minister S Regupathy who interacted with the media following a cabinet meeting at the State Secretariat characterised the verdict as one being at odds with the law. He said the government is responsible to protect the culture of Tamils, while expressing displeasure over the judgement holding the stone pillar as "Deepathoon" and allowing the lamp lighting near Dargah. He reeled out a list of leaders who helmed Tamil Nadu and said that at least for a hundred years no such practice of lighting lamp in the so-called "Deepathoon". "We are at liberty to approach the higher judiciary for appeal and we will do so," the Minister said.
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