Karthigai Deepam Row: Madras High Court Upholds Order Allowing Lighting Of Lamp On Hilltop

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday upheld a single judge’s order permitting the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon stone pillar atop the Thiruparankundram hillock, strongly rejecting objections raised by the Tamil Nadu government and temple authorities and sharply criticising what it described as exaggerated and politically driven fears of public unrest.

A Division Bench of Justices G Jayachandran and KK Ramakrishnan, which had reserved its verdict on December 18, ruled that there was no legal or factual basis to deny devotees the right to light the Deepam, a long-established religious practice associated with the hill.

“The practice of lighting the Deepam at an elevated place is meant for all Hindu devotees to see,” the court observed, adding that there was “no plausible reason” for the temple management to refuse devotees’ request.

Dismissing the state’s argument that lighting the lamp could lead to law and order problems, the Bench said it was “ridiculous and hard to believe that the fear of the mighty State” was that a religious ritual on temple land would disturb public peace. The court further remarked that the apprehension of unrest was “nothing but an imaginary ghost created conveniently, which creates mistrust between communities”.

The Bench also criticised as “mischievous” the submission that the Deepathoon pillar belonged to a dargah, making it clear that such claims could not be used to block religious practices that have existed for generations.

Temple Devasthanam Directed To Light The Lamp

In its operative order, the court directed that the Temple Devasthanam must light the Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon, while laying down safeguards to ensure preservation of the site and maintenance of order.

The court noted that Thiruparankundram is a protected monument, and said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is free to impose conditions to safeguard the structure. It also ruled that no members of the public shall accompany the temple authorities during the lighting of the lamp, and directed that the District Collector shall supervise the event.

The number of persons permitted to access the Deepathoon for the ritual can be decided after consultation with the ASI, the Bench said.

A Hill That Carries Centuries Of Coexistence

Thiruparankundram occupies a singular place in Tamil Nadu’s cultural and religious landscape. Recognised as one of the Arupadai Veedu, the six sacred abodes of Lord Murugan, the hill is revered as the site associated with the divine wedding of Murugan and Deivanai, a tradition deeply rooted in Tamil devotional literature and temple ritual.

The Deepathoon stone pillar at the summit has traditionally been the site where the Karthigai Deepam is lit, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and intended to be visible to devotees gathered below.

The hill also houses a Muslim dargah, reflecting a layered religious presence that has existed for generations. While both places of worship have historically functioned in proximity, disputes in recent years over access and ritual practices triggered administrative restrictions and legal challenges.

The present appeals were filed after the state and temple authorities opposed a single judge’s order allowing the Deepam to be lit, citing law and order concerns and ownership claims. The High Court, however, rejected these arguments in strong terms, warning against invoking speculative fears that could deepen communal mistrust.

With Tuesday’s ruling, the court disposed of all appeals, reaffirming that long-standing religious practices cannot be curtailed on the basis of imagined threats to public peace.