The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed an appeal against a single judge order allowing devotees of Arulmighu Subramaniya Swamy Temple to light lamps (Karthigai deepam) at the Deepathoon (stone lamp pillar) atop the Thiruparakundram hills, which is located close to a dargah.
A division bench of Justice G Jayachandran and Justice KK Ramakrishnan observed that devotees were permitted to light the lamp since single judge’s initial order was not complied with by the temple administration. Such modification in the initial order, the division bench said, was sustainable.
The appeal was preferred by the Madurai’s District Collector, city Police Commissioner and Executive Officer of the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple against a single judge’s order yesterday, permitting devotees to light lamps at the hilltop. According to LiveLaw, state’s HR&CE (Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments) Department also entered appearance.
“This Court finds that the order in contempt was not one altering the earlier order of the court. When the court found its earlier order was not complied with, the court directed the devotees to light the lamp…the order only changed the person who was to perform the function as per its order. The appeal, filed with an ulterior motive, is dismissed," the bench said.
Karthigai Deepam or Karthika Deepam is celebrated in Tamil Nadu during the full moon of Karthigai month when Shiva’s Agni form is worshipped. The Maha Deepam lighting at Arunachaleswarar Temple attracts millions of devotees worldwide. The Thirupparankundram Hill in Madurai is home to the Arulmigu Subramania Swamy Temple (located at the foot of the hill) and the Sikkandar Badhusah Dharga (located at the top).
On Wednesday, Tamil Nadu BJP leader K Annamalai attacked Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department after an appeal was filed against the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench order allowing devotees to light lamps on the hill lamp post of Arulmigu Subramaniyaswami Temple in Thiruparankundram ahead of the Karthigai Deepam festival.
“The DMK Govt’s hostility toward Sanatan Dharma is no longer a matter of interpretation; it is a fact. The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowment Department (which is supposed to serve Hindu devotees) appealed against a court order blocking the lighting of the sacred Karthigai Deepam atop Thiruparankundram Hill. This act strikes at the very heart of our people’s faith," he said in a tweet.
