The Supreme Court on Friday (January 23, 2026) decided to examine a plea to direct the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to “take over and control” the Subramaniya Swamy Temple at Thirupparankundram in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
A Bench headed by Justice Aravind Kumar issued notice to the Centre, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Tamil Nadu State on the plea.
The petition filed by the Hindu Dharma Parishad sought the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam at a stone pillar, identified as the deepathoon, located atop Thirupparankundram Hill, permanently for 24 hours daily.
The Parishad said every year, on the day of Karthigai, the entire Thirupparankundram Hill must be lit with lamps and Lord Muruga devotees be allowed to worship.
A dispute involving the temple and mosque at Thiruparankundram during 1915-16
The hill, declared as a protected area under ‘The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958’, is bound by the Act and its Rules.
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, 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.
