Madurai hill shrine row: Supreme Court seeks response over 24-hour lamp lighting

24-Jan-2026

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In a further escalation of the Madurai hill shrine controversy, the Supreme Court on Jan 23 sought responses from the Centre, the Tamil Nadu government, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on a plea seeking ASI management of the Thirupparankundram temple and round-the-clock daily illumination of the sacred “deepathoon” stone pillar on the hill.

A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi issued the notices on the plea filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad.

In its petition, the organisation has also requested that the entire hill be illuminated with lamps annually on the occasion of the Karthigai festival and that devotees be allowed to worship during that period. The petition further alleges that the current arrangement violates fundamental rights.

Celebrated primarily in Tamil Nadu, Karthigai Deepam is observed during the month of Karthigai (usually November–December). Homes and temples are illuminated with lamps (deepams) to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and to honour Lord Shiva and Lord Murugan.