Madurai Temple Trustees Request Deliberation Time on Court's Symbolic Prayer Proposal
The board of trustees of the Subramaniya Swamy temple in Thiruparankundram, Madurai, informed the Madras High Court on Wednesday that the court's suggestion to permit five persons to offer symbolic prayers at the deepathoon atop Thiruparankundram hill requires careful deliberation. The trustees emphasized that a decision must be taken after consulting the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment (HR and CE) department.
Court Adjourns Matter to March 18
Following this submission, Justice G R Swaminathan posted the matter to March 18 for further hearing. The judge also dispensed with the appearance of the board of trustees at the next hearing, streamlining the judicial process.
Background: Collector's Affidavit and Court's Observations
During a previous hearing, Madurai District Collector K J Praveen Kumar filed an additional affidavit addressing the situation. He stated, "One factor that I kept in mind was that the temple management would be enabled to implement the court order only if there is no law and order situation in the hillock area. The prohibition issued under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023 definitely did not contemplate hindrance to temple officials lighting the lamp in accordance with the judgment of the high court dated December 1, 2025."
Justice Swaminathan observed that the prohibitory order passed by the collector had effectively frustrated the court's earlier directive. In response, the judge made a suggestion, noting, "I suggest that respect to the order passed by this court can be shown by permitting a group of exactly five persons, to be named by this court, to go to the lower peak of the hillock where the deepathoon lies so that symbolic prayers can be offered. I further indicate that this entire exercise can be confined to 15 minutes. This is only a suggestion and not a direction."
Contempt Petitions and Legal Context
The court was hearing contempt petitions filed over non-compliance with an earlier order that directed the lighting of the Karthigai deepam at the deepathoon. This ongoing legal battle highlights the intersection of religious practices, administrative orders, and judicial oversight in temple management.
The trustees' request for time underscores the complexity of implementing court suggestions in sensitive religious contexts, balancing legal mandates with practical considerations and departmental consultations.
