The Supreme Court on Friday decided to examine a plea to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to “take over and control” the Thirupparankundram Lord Murugan Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
A Bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar issued notice to the Centre, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the State of Tamil Nadu on the plea.
The petition filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad sought the lighting of a lamp atop of the deepathoon (ancient stone lamp post) located on the top of Thirupparankundram Hill, permanently for 24 hours daily,
The Parishad said that every year, on the day of Karthigai in the month of Karthigai, the entire Thirupparankundram Hill should be lit with lamps and Lord Muruga devotees be allowed to worship.
A Division Bench of the Madras High Court had recently upheld an earlier Single Judge order of Justice G.R. Swaminathan, directing the temple management to light the Karthigai Deepam at a stone pillar, identified as the Deepathoon, atop Thirupparankundram Hill, dismissing fears of public disturbance as an “imaginary ghost”, which would only happen if sponsored by the State itself.
The Tamil Nadu government had made clear its intentions to challenge the order in the Supreme Court.
Published – January 23, 2026 07:49 pm IST
