Archive · 24 Jan 2026
SC seeks response on temple plea
The Supreme Court has asked the central government, the Tamil Nadu government, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to respond to a request made by the Hindu Dharma Parishad.
The request is about taking control of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Madurai and allowing the lighting of a lamp on top of a stone pillar called the ‘deepathoon’ every day.
The court also wants to ensure that every year on a special day called Karthigai, the entire hill is lit with lamps, and devotees are allowed to worship.
The temple is very old, built by the Pandyas in the 6th century, and the lamp-lighting tradition has been going on for 600 years.
Earlier, the Madras High Court had agreed with a single judge's decision to allow the lighting of the lamp and criticized the state government for saying it would cause trouble.
The Supreme Court is now looking into this matter to make a final decision.
The Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre, ASI, and Tamil Nadu government on a plea for the takeover of the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple by the ASI.
The plea seeks directions for the ASI to take control of the temple and keep the lamp burning 24/7 on the Deepathoon.
The petition also requests that the entire hill be lit with lamps annually on Karthigai day and that devotees be allowed to worship.
The Madras High Court upheld a single judge’s order allowing the lighting of the lamp and criticized the DMK government's claim that it would disturb public peace.
The Supreme Court is now hearing the plea to decide on the matter, with notices issued to respond within four weeks.
- Who
- Supreme Court, Hindu Dharma Parishad, Centre, Tamil Nadu government, ASI
- What
- Plea for ASI takeover of Thiruparankundram temple and daily lamp lighting
- When
- January 23, 2024 (Supreme Court hearing); January 6, 2024 (High Court decision)
- Where
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Why
- To ensure the ASI takes control of the temple and allows for the lighting of lamps as per religious practices
- Temple
- Thiruparankundram Murugan Subramaniya Swamy Temple
- Location
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Plea Filed By
- Hindu Dharma Parishad
- High Court Decision
- Upheld single judge’s order on lighting the lamp
- Supreme Court Action
- Issued notices to Centre, Tamil Nadu government, ASI, and others
- Key Issue
- ASI’s takeover of the temple and daily lamp lighting on the ‘deepathoon’
- High Court Criticism
- Slammed DMK government for claiming lamp lighting would disturb public peace
- Temple History
- 6th century cave structure built by the Pandyas
- Lamp-lighting Tradition
- 600 years old, particularly significant during Karthigai
