The Supreme Court on Friday decided to examine a plea to order the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to “take over and inspect” the Thirupparankundram Lord Murugan Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
A bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar issued notices to the Centre, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the state of Tamil Nadu on the plea.
A petition filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad sought to light the lamp atop the deepathoon (an ancient stone lamp) located atop the Thirupparankundram hill, permanently for 24 hours a day,
The Parishad said that every year, on Karthigai day in Karthigai month, the entire Thirupparankundram hill should be illuminated with lamps and devotees of Lord Muruga should be allowed to worship.
A division bench of the Madras High Court recently upheld an earlier order of single justice GR Swaminathan, who ordered the temple management to light the Karthigai Deepam at a stone pillar, identified as Deepathoon, atop Thirupparankundram Hill, dismissing fears of a public riot as an “imaginary ghost” that would only happen if the state itself sponsored it.
The Tamil Nadu government has made clear its intention to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
Published – 23 Jan 2026 19:49 IST
