Last Updated:January 06, 2026, 21:12 IST

A division bench of Madras High Court upheld the order directing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills.

People from Palani Andavar Temple Street stood in front of the Palani Andavar Temple holding lamps and raised slogans. (ANI)

Residents of Palani Andavar Temple Street, located at the foothills of Thiruparankundram Hill, stood in front of the temple holding lamps and raised slogans on Tuesday, demanding that a ceremonial lamp be lit atop the hill following a Madras High Court order allowing the ritual.

Standing in front of the Palani Andavar Temple, the residents lit lamps and raised slogans, welcoming the verdict of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, which upheld the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop Thiruparankundram Hill, news agency ANI reported.

Hailing the verdict, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan also lit a lamp outside her residence and sang Kanda Shashti Kavasam in celebration.

Earlier today, a division bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan upheld the order directing the lighting of Karthigai Deepam at the stone pillar (Deepathoon) atop the Thiruparankundram hills.

The bench had dismissed appeals filed by the Executive Officer of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, the Madurai District Collector and the Madurai City Police Commissioner, which had challenged the December 1 order of a single judge permitting the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.

Before the division bench, two principal questions arose for consideration, whether the stone pillar could be treated as a Deepathoon for Hindus, entitling them to light a lamp as part of the Karthigai Deepam ritual, and whether permitting the lighting of the lamp would infringe upon or affect the rights of the nearby Muslim shrine.

In its ruling, the court came down heavily on the stand taken by the state and the other appellants. The court said it was “ridiculous and hard to believe” that the lighting of a lamp on temple land could threaten public peace. The bench termed such apprehensions an “imaginary ghost” that could create mistrust between communities.

It also rejected arguments suggesting that the stone pillar belonged to a nearby dargah, calling the submission “mischievous.” It observed that lighting a deepam at an elevated location as part of the Karthigai Deepam ritual is a well-recognised Hindu religious practice.

It held that there was “no plausible reason” for the temple management to deny or delay compliance with the devotees’ request to light the lamp on the occasion of Karthigai Deepam.

The High Court observed that the district administration should have treated the matter as an opportunity for mediation. It further noted that as the hill is a protected monument, any activity carried out there must strictly follow the provisions of the Act. The bench clarified that the lamp may be lit, and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, in consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government said it would move the Supreme Court to challenge the Madurai bench order.

Reacting to the court’s verdict, Chief Minister MK Stalin’s party, DMK, said that it would go through the verdict.

“The government will make a decision on the next course of action,” the party said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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