Thirupparankundram lamp lighting row: Madras HC upholds order allowing Karthigai Deepam on 'Deepathoon'

CHENNAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras high court on Tuesday upheld a single judge’s order permitting the Subramaniya Swamy temple management to light the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon (stone pillar) located on one of the peaks of the Thiruparankundram hill. A division bench confirmed the earlier ruling of Justice G R Swaminathan, which had directed that the ceremonial lamp be lit at the Deepathoon in addition to the other customary locations during the festival.According to news agency ANI, the court observed that the district administration ought to have treated the issue as an opportunity to bridge the gap between the communities through mediation. It further held that since the hill is a protected site, any activity carried out there must strictly comply with the provisions of the Act. The court clarified that the lamp may be lit and the number of persons permitted can be fixed, subject to consultation with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). With this, the court cleared the way for the continuation of the traditional practice, dismissing objections raised against lighting the lamp at the hilltop stone pillar.