The Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld a single judge’s order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam atop a stone pillar on the lower peak of Thiruparankundram hillock, home to both the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple and Sikkandar Badhusha Dargah.
Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan of the Madras High Court Madurai Bench have upheld Justice GR Swaminathan’s order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam on the ‘Deepathoon’ atop the lower peak of Thiruparankundram hillock.
Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan of the Madras High Court, Madurai Bench, uphold Justice GR Swaminathan’s order regarding the lighting of a lamp on the “Deepathoon” in the Tirupparankundram temple.
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2026
The ruling rebukes the Tamil Nadu government’s objections citing safety concerns. The division bench dismissed arguments that lighting the Karthigai Deepam atop Thiruparankundram hill could disrupt law and order.
Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan called it “ridiculous and hard to believe” that the mighty state fears a disturbance from the temple management lighting the lamp on temple land. The court suggested any such unrest would only occur if sponsored by the State itself, reported Bar and Bench.
The division bench observed that the district administration should have viewed the dispute as a chance to bridge communal gaps through mediation. The court stressed that, as a protected site, all activities on Thiruparankundram hill must adhere strictly to the relevant Act’s provisions. It permitted lighting the lamp, with participant numbers set after consulting the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
The Court observed that the district administration ought to have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation. It further held that since the hill is a protected site, any activity carried out there must strictly comply with the…
— ANI (@ANI) January 6, 2026
“The Court observed that the district administration ought to have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation. It further held that since the hill is a protected site, any activity carried out there must strictly comply with the provisions of the Act. The Court clarified that the lamp may be lit and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, subject to consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).” quoted ANI.
The court ordered the District Collector to supervise and coordinate the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at Thiruparankundram hillock. It stated that guidelines in the detailed judgment will enable Hindu and Muslim communities to celebrate their festivals on the hillock without mutual disturbance.
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