The Madras High Court ruled that animal sacrifice on Thiruparankundram Hill is not permissible, confirming its status as a protected monument. Naming it Sikkandar Malai could hurt Hindu devotees’ sentiments performing Giri Pradakshinam, the Court observed.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court issued a ruling from a third judge regarding the Thiruparankundram Hillock dispute, resolving the split verdict from June.
Justice GR Vijayakumar, appointed to make the final decision, largely agreed with Justice S Srimathy, confirming that the hillock’s name will remain Thiruparankundram Hill and not Sikkandar Malai.
This judgment addresses three key issues: the hillock’s name, the practice of animal sacrifice at the Sikkandar Badusha Dargah, and the rights of Muslims to pray at the Nellithoppu area.
Justice Vijayakumar pointed out that historical records, including a 1908 and a 1923 Gazette notification under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, designate the area as Thiruparankundram Rock.
These notifications classify 172.2 acres of the hill as protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The judge deemed the reference to the hill as Sikkandar Malai as “mischievous,” interpreting it as an effort to change its historical name.
He also indicated that the Arulmigu Subramaniaswamy Temple at the base of the hill owns the entire Thiruparankundram Hill, except for two sections: the Sikkandar Badhusha Avuliya Dargah at the southern peak and the Nellithoppu area in the middle, which previous civil court rulings had recognized as belonging to the Muslim community.
Together, the Dargah and Nellithoppu comprise only a small fraction of the 172-acre hill, with Nellithoppu itself covering about 33 cents.
Justice Vijayakumar ruled that animal sacrifice is not permissible on the hillock, noting that there is no documentary evidence supporting it as a long-standing or essential religious practice at the Dargah.
The court stated that even if the dargah administration claims animal sacrifice as a religious custom, it must be substantiated before a competent civil court.
Until such a determination is made, no animal sacrifice, cooking, or serving of non-vegetarian food will be allowed anywhere on the hill.
Regarding the third issue, the court allowed Muslims to pray in the Nellithoppu area only during Ramzan and Bakrid, under strict conditions. The court emphasized that while the 33-cent Nellithoppu area is owned by the Muslim community, the traditional steps leading to it belong to the temple.
These steps, which also provide access to the Kasi Vishwanathar Temple at the top of the hill, must remain unobstructed and unsoiled.
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The order further clarified that no cooking, animal sacrifice, or carrying of non-vegetarian food will be permitted in Nellithoppu until the civil court resolves the rights of the involved parties.
Instructing officials to maintain peace and ensure compliance with the court’s directives, the judge noted,
“There are no permanent structures in Nellithoppu, and any large gatherings could disrupt access to temple devotees,”
The Court ultimately determined that Muslims may offer their prayers in the Nellithoppu area only on the festival days of Ramzan and Bakrid, provided they adhere to certain conditions and do not defile or damage the traditional footsteps.
Consequently, the High Court resolved the matter and addressed the questions that were referred to it.
Case Title- S. Paramasivam v. The District Collector & Ors. (Case Number: W.P.(MD)Nos.2678 of 2025 and batch)