Madras HC Allows Deepam atop Thiruparankundram Hill’s Ancient Pillar, Rejects Dargah Claim

On December 4, 2025, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court reaffirmed its December 1 direction that the annual Karthigai Deepam be lit atop Thiruparankundram Hill, specifically at the ancient stone pillar called Deepathoon, dismissing state objections and emphasising enforcement of judicial orders even amid concerns about communal-sensitivity.

The controversy has long revolved around a customary shift. For more than a century, the lamp was traditionally lit at a “Deepa Mandapam” near the Uchi Pillaiyar Temple on the hill which is a lower, widely accepted spot. But this year, petitioners sought the ancient Deepathoon on the hill as the site for lighting, arguing that ritual tradition and temple ownership supported their claim.

In its 22-page order, the bench of Justice G.R. Swaminathan held that Deepathoon lies outside the area that has historically belonged to the neighbouring Sikkandar Badhusha Dargah and over which the Muslim community claims rights.

Justice Swaminathan found that the portion of the hill containing Deepathoon falls under the aegis of the Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple, thereby rejecting assertions that the lamp lighting would infringe upon the dargah’s rights.

Rejecting arguments that civil demarcation suits or prior court judgments precluded this, court reminded stakeholders that ancient decrees, including a 1923 judgment upheld by the Privy Council, recognised temple ownership over the “unoccupied” portions of the hill excluding the dargah precincts. Since Deepathoon is not part of the dargah’s demarcated area, court ruled, there is no need for fresh civil litigation.

Critically, court stressed that lighting a lamp, a symbolic religious act, “cannot offend anyone’s sensibilities” when carried out with security and without encroaching on protected areas.

Justice Swaminathan directed temple authorities to light the Deepam at Deepathoon “from this year onwards,” and ordered the state police to afford all necessary protection to ensure compliance.

Despite the clear order, the ritual event on the evening of December 3 saw defiance by the temple administration and police. Instead of lighting the lamp at Deepathoon, the authorities proceeded with the old practice at the Uchi Pillaiyar temple. The temple’s Executive Officer, citing concerns over communal harmony and public order, reportedly ignored the court’s directive.

Announcing the move to appeal the High Court order, the state government invoked law-and-order concerns. Shortly after the High Court’s judgment, the government, represented by the District Collector and City Police Commissioner, filed a “Letters Patent Appeal,” which was dismissed on December 4 by a division bench comprised of Justices G. Jayachandran and K.K. Ramakrishnan.

The bench held that the contempt-proceeding order did not modify the substantive earlier order, but merely changed the person authorised to perform the lamp-lighting. It termed the appeal a “ruse” to circumvent timely compliance.

Case Title: Rama.Ravikumar vs. .K.J.Praveenkumar IAS, District Collector, Madurai and others

Order Date: December 4, 2025

Bench: Justice G.R. Swaminathan