Thiruparankundram Hill Festival Row: Madras HC Allows Only Santhanakoodu Urus, Bans Animal Sacrifice, Non-Veg Food

The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) on January 2, 2026, issued interim directions to regulate the conduct of a religious festival at Thiruparankundram Hill, permitting only the Santhanakoodu Urus to be held under strict conditions, including a cap on participants and a complete prohibition on animal sacrifice and non-vegetarian food, amid continuing disputes over festival practices at the site.

The bench of Justice S. Srimathy was hearing a writ petition filed by M. Manickamoorthy seeking to restrain the managing trustee of Hazrat Sulthan Sikkanthar Bhadhusha Dargha from performing Kandhoori on Thiruparankundram Hill. The petitioner had approached the court seeking a writ of mandamus directing the district administration and police authorities to prohibit the conduct of Kandhoori, citing a representation made on December 18, 2025.

At the outset, the State raised objections to the maintainability of the petition. Appearing for the police authorities, Additional Advocate General Veera Kathiravan submitted that the issue raised in the present writ petition had already been considered by a division bench of the high court. In view of the earlier adjudication, it was argued that the present petition was not maintainable.

Counsel appearing for the fifth respondent, the managing trustee of the dargah, informed the court that he had received notice only on the day of hearing and was yet to receive the complete set of papers. Nevertheless, he contended that the dispute stood settled by earlier judicial orders and that the present proceedings were barred by the principles of res judicata.

On behalf of the district administration, Additional Advocate General R. Baskaran informed the court that the proposed event was only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival and not Kandhoori Mahautsav. He submitted that permission would be granted solely for the Santhanakoodu festival scheduled to be held on January 6, 2026. The State clarified that the permissions granted in the year 2023 would be followed for the current year as well.

Court was further informed that the administration would strictly adhere to the restrictions imposed under earlier judicial orders, including those passed by a third judge of the high court. These restrictions included a complete prohibition on animal sacrifice, carrying animal meat, cooking non-vegetarian food, or carrying any non-vegetarian food during the festival.

After hearing the rival submissions, court passed interim directions to regulate the conduct of the festival. Court directed that the managing trustee of the Hazrat Sulthan Sikkanthar Bhadhusha Dargha shall strictly conduct only the Urus festival and not any other religious event. It further restricted the number of participants in the festival to fifty persons.

In a significant direction aimed at maintaining communal harmony and public order, court restrained the managing trustee of the Dargah from carrying out animal sacrifice or engaging in any activity involving animal meat or non-vegetarian food. Court made it clear that these restrictions would apply from the basement of Thiruparankundram Hill up to its top, and directed the official respondents to strictly enforce the same.

The court also directed that judgments passed by the Full Bench of the high court and orders rendered in several earlier suits relating to the issue shall be strictly followed. Emphasising the need to maintain peace, the police authorities were directed to ensure strict maintenance of law and order during the festival.

The matter has been posted to January 20, 2026, for filing of counter affidavits by the respondents.

Case Title: M.Manickamoorthy vs. The District Collector, Madurai District and Others

Order Date: January 2, 2026

Bench: Justice S. Srimathy