Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Tamil Nadu Temple Lamp Lighting Row
There's a big argument in Tamil Nadu about where to light a special lamp in a temple during a festival called Karthigai Deepam.
The temple has been lighting the lamp in a certain spot for over 100 years, but some people want to change the location.
A court said the lamp should be lit in the traditional spot, which is near another smaller temple on a hill.
Some people are worried that changing the location could cause problems between different religious groups.
The government is being careful because they don't want to upset either side, especially since there's an election coming up.
The opposition party is trying to make the government look bad by saying they are against Hindu interests.
The Madras High Court allowed the lighting of the temple lamp at the traditional location near the Ucchi Pillayar temple.
The lamp has been lit at this location for over a century, and the temple authorities have consistently maintained this practice.
The court rejected objections from the temple's executive officer, the dargah management, and the Waqf Board, which argued that lighting the lamp at the pillar could disturb communal harmony.
The dispute has taken on political significance, with the BJP accusing the DMK government of being anti-Hindu.
The DMK government is treading carefully to avoid antagonizing either its minority voter base or Hindu devotees ahead of the 2026 assembly polls.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Temple Authorities, Madras High Court, DMK Government, BJP
- What
- Dispute over the location of lighting a temple lamp during Karthigai Deepam festival
- When
- Ongoing, with the next lighting expected this evening
- Where
- Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple in Tamil Nadu
- Why
- Dispute over traditional practice and communal harmony concerns
- Temple Name
- Thirupparankundram Subramaniaswamy temple
- Festival
- Karthigai Deepam
- Location of Lamp
- Ucchi Pillayar temple (lower hill)
- Court Ruling
- Allowed lighting at the ancient stone pillar
- Distance from Dargah
- 50 meters
- Political Parties Involved
- DMK, BJP
- Political Implications
- Potential impact on 2026 assembly elections
