The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court stayed contempt proceedings over non-compliance with the Thiruparankundram Karthigai Deepam order. Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman adjourned the matter to April 8 while hearing state appeals.
CHENNAI: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court granted an interim stay until April 8 on contempt proceedings pending before a single judge concerning alleged non-compliance with an order directing the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam on Thiruparankundram Hill dated December 1, 2025.
A Division Bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman issued the interim order while hearing a batch of letters patent appeals filed by state authorities. The bench adjourned the matters to April 8 and directed the high court registry to number and list another set of petitions for hearing on that date.
The dispute concerns the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam, an important Hindu ritual, on Thiruparankundram Hill a site revered for its association with Lord Murugan.
The controversy arose after the December 1, 2025 order directing authorities to facilitate the lighting of the Deepam; alleged non-compliance of that directive led to contempt proceedings before a single judge.
Earlier, the single judge (Justice G. R. Swaminathan) had scheduled the contempt petitions relating to the Deepam row for hearing on March 18.
In an earlier hearing, the single judge had given the trustees of the Thiruparankundram Subramaniya Swamy temple two weeks to respond to the court’s suggestion that five persons be permitted, at the court’s nomination, to offer prayers at the ‘deepathoon’ located atop the hill for 15 minutes.
Justice G. R. Swaminathan, who was hearing the contempt petitions, had taken a proactive approach to resolve the matter. During prior hearings:
- The Court granted two weeks’ time to temple authorities to respond.
- It suggested allowing five individuals, nominated by the Court, to perform prayers at the deepathoon (lamp pillar) atop the hill.
- The proposed access was limited to 15 minutes, aiming to balance religious rights with administrative concerns.
- The contempt petitions were scheduled for hearing on March 18, reflecting judicial urgency in ensuring compliance.
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