Kochi: The Madras High Court on Tuesday permitted the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at the Deepathoon stone pillar atop the Thiruparankundram hillock rejecting Tamil Nadu government and temple authorities objections, media reports said.
Upholding the single judge’s order,
a Division Bench of the Madurai bench sharply criticising what it described as exaggerated and politically driven fears of public unrest.
The court ruled that there was no legal or factual basis to deny devotees the right to light the Deepam, a long-established religious practice associated with the hill.
The court dismissed the state’s argument that lighting the lamp could lead to law and order problems.
The Bench described as “mischievous” the submission that the Deepathoon pillar belonged to a dargah.
In its operative order, the court directed that the Temple Devasthanam must light the Karthigai Deepam at Deepathoon, while laying down safeguards to ensure preservation of the site and maintenance of order.
The court noted that Thiruparankundram is a protected monument, and said the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is free to impose conditions to safeguard the structure.
The court ruled that no members of the public shall accompany the temple authorities during the lighting of the lamp.
The court directed that the District Collector shall supervise the event.
HC’s nod to light lamp at Thiruparankundram
