Thirupparankundram row: Madurai Bench of Madras High Court upholds order directing temple management to light Karthigai Deepam at ‘deepathoon’

A Division Bench of the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), on Tuesday (January 6, 2026), upheld the order of Justice G.R. Swaminathan, who had directed the Subramaniya Swamy Temple management in Thirupparankundram to light the Karthigai Deepam at the ‘deepathoon’ (stone pillar for lighting lamp) besides the usual places.

The bench of Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan criticised the Tamil Nadu government for citing apprehension of law and order issues and public peace as a reason for not complying with the order. The Bench said it was ridiculous and an “imaginary ghost” created by the authorities.

The court said the appellants had not produced any evidence to show that the lighting of the ‘deepam’ (lamp) was not allowed at the newly-identified pillar as per Agama Shastra. Religious practices have reasons and the reason for lighting the deepam at an elevated place was for devotees to see and worship, the court said.

The court said the temple management should light the deepam at the ‘deepathoon’ and the district administration should supervise the event. As it was a protected monument, the Archaeological Survey of India could impose conditions, the court said.

The judges began hearing the appeals preferred against the Single Bench order on December 12, 2025. While several claims had been made regarding the nature of the stone pillar/’deepathoon’, the Tamil Nadu government had submitted that there was no evidence to establish that the pillar was a ‘deepathoon’.

However, senior counsels, representing the original petitioners, submitted that the government was only disputing the claim to complicate the matter. Besides, the appellants had not shown any materials to prove that it was not a deepathoon. After hearing all the arguments, the judges had reserved judgment on December 18, 2025.