The ongoing legal dispute over lighting the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon atop the Thirupparankundram hill took a sharp turn at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday, 15 December 2025, when counsel for the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department mounted a forceful challenge to the single judge’s order permitting the ritual. Arguing that the stone pillar was never intended for Karthigai Deepam and that its nature could not be altered under law, the counsel for HR&CE made a controversial remark saying “Murugan may have two wives, but light should be lit at one place only”.
A Division Bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan was hearing appeals filed by the Hazarath Sultan Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah, the Tamil Nadu government, the HR&CE Department, and other parties opposing the single judge’s directions. The single judge had earlier held that the stone pillar was not located on land belonging to the Muslim community and that lighting a lamp at the pillar would not infringe upon their rights.
Appearing for the Joint Commissioner, HR&CE, Senior Advocate N Jothi submitted that the Deepathoon was never intended for lighting the Karthigai deepam and that its nature could not be altered under law.
Referring to Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act, Jothi stated that the powers to frame regulations vested with the trustees. When the Bench enquired whether a board was in place, he confirmed that an elected–nominated board was functioning.
Placing reliance on a 1981 book authored by an archaeology expert, Jothi said, “This particular gentleman says exactly about lighting of lamp. This book should’ve been placed before the court earlier.” Reading out passages, the counsel stated that the first photograph in the book depicted the Thirupparankundram hill where the lamp was ordered to be lit, and that similar pillars existed at Swamiyar Malai, about 20 kilometres away.
“All pillars unfinished. Page 4, another pillar. Page 5, front of two pillars. Last page, same type of thoon. Same design of pillar with same podium and height. Pillar of same type at different places. They’re not made for Karthigai deepam,” Jothi submitted.
The counsel further referred to another scholarly work by Venkataswami, stating that Digambara saints from Madhya Pradesh used to reside on hilltops and used such pillars only for illumination during night congregations. “These pillars were not for Karthigai deepam but for light by the Munis,” he said.
Jothi argued that no lamp had ever been lit on the Deepathoon and warned against changing its character. “Nature of pillar cannot be changed,” he submitted.
“The petitioners cannot ask Karthigai deepam to be lit at every pillar,” he said, adding, “What’ll happen if order is allowed. It says light lamp at two places. Does it happen anywhere? Murugan may have two wives but light should be lit at one place only.”
He alleged that the petitioners had caused serious disturbance to officials. “They caused commotion and gave nightmare to officers,” Jothi said, urging the court to allow the appeal. “This practice should be heavily condemned. The appeal should be allowed and heavy costs should be imposed on them. Payable to Murugan itself,” he added.
The Bench also heard submissions from counsel representing the Dargah, who argued that the single judge had erred in holding that the Dargah had not demonstrated how it would be affected. Another counsel emphasised that Thirupparankundram was a multicultural complex and that adjudication of title and custom required civil proceedings, not a writ petition.
Seeking a solution-oriented approach, the Bench observed that repeated litigations and incidents necessitated clarity through demarcation of boundaries. The court also posed a query on whether the parties would have any objection if the Archaeological Survey of India were to issue a notification permitting the activity, to which counsel responded that any such action must be “in accordance with law.”
The matter has been posted for further hearing on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.
Source: LiveLaw
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
