The Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) permitted only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival at Thiruparankundram Hill while prohibiting Kandhoori, animal sacrifice, and non-vegetarian food. Strict conditions were imposed to ensure public order and compliance with earlier judicial rulings.
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MADURAI: The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has issued interim directions regulating the conduct of a religious festival at Thiruparankundram Hill, permitting only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival to be held under stringent conditions. The court expressly prohibited Kandhoori, animal sacrifice, and any form of non-vegetarian food during the event, citing earlier judicial precedents and the need to maintain public order.
Background of the Case
The interim order was passed by Justice S. Srimathy while hearing a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India filed by M. Manickamoorthy. The petitioner sought a writ of mandamus directing the district administration and police authorities to prohibit the managing trustee of Hazrat Sulthan Sikkanthar Bhadhusha Dargah from performing Kandhoori on Thiruparankundram Hill.
The plea was based on a representation dated December 18, 2025, and also included a request for an interim injunction restraining the conduct of Kandhoori at the disputed site.
During the hearing, Additional Advocate General Veera Kathiravan, appearing for the police authorities, contended that the issue had already been adjudicated by a Division Bench of the Madras High Court, rendering the present petition not maintainable.
Counsel for the fifth respondent (the managing trustee of the Dargah) submitted that although he had received notice only on the day of the hearing, the dispute stood settled by earlier court orders. He argued that the present writ petition was barred by the principle of res judicata.
Appearing for the district administration, Additional Advocate General R. Baskaran informed the court that the proposed event was only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival, scheduled to be held on January 6, 2026, and not Kandhoori Mahautsav.
The State assured the court that permissions would be granted strictly in line with those issued in 2023, and that earlier judicial directions, particularly those issued by a third judge of the High Court, would be scrupulously followed.
Interim Directions Issued by the High Court
After considering the rival submissions, the court passed the following interim directions:
- Only the Santhanakoodu Urus festival shall be conducted; no other religious event is permitted.
- The number of participants shall be restricted to 50 persons.
- Animal sacrifice, carrying of animal meat, cooking of non-vegetarian food, or carrying any non-vegetarian food is strictly prohibited.
- These restrictions shall apply from the basement of Thiruparankundram Hill up to its summit.
- The official respondents are directed to strictly enforce the above conditions.
- All Full Bench judgments and orders passed in earlier suits concerning the issue must be followed without deviation.
- The police authorities are directed to maintain strict law and order during the festival.
The matter has been posted to January 20, 2026, for the filing of counter-affidavits by the respondents.
Case Title:
M.Manickamoorthy vs. The District Collector, Madurai District and Others
W.P.Crl.(MD) NO. 2754 of 2025 and W.M.P.(Crl)(MD)No.655 of 2025
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