The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, dismissed an appeal challenging an interim order passed by a single judge restricting participation in the sandalwood pot (Sandhanakoodu) procession during the Thirupparankundram dargah festival to 50 persons.
The appeal was filed against an interim direction issued by Justice S Srimathy while hearing a petition seeking to restrain the conduct of the annual kandoori festival at the well-known Sikandar Badusha Dargah in Thirupparankundram. The single judge had permitted the festival to be held but imposed a condition that only 50 persons should be allowed to take part in the Sandhanakoodu procession, which is a key ritual of the festival.
Aggrieved by this restriction, a person named Osir Khan approached the Madurai Bench in appeal, objecting to the condition and seeking permission for more participants to be allowed in the procession.
Hearing the appeal, the Division Bench observed that the order passed by the single judge was only an interim order and that the main case was still pending adjudication. The Bench said the appellant could raise all his objections and arguments before the single judge at the time of the next hearing and seek appropriate relief.
Holding that the appeal was not maintainable at the present stage, the Division Bench dismissed the appeal petition.
As a result, the interim direction limiting participation in the Sandhanakoodu procession to 50 persons will continue to remain in force.
Source: Indian Express Tamil
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
